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>> GOOD EVENING, WE WOULD LIKE
TO CALL THE DURHAM CITY COUNCIL
MEETING TO ORDER, MONDAY 7:03
P.M., I CERTAINLY WANT TO
WELCOME ALL OF YOU IN ATTENDANCE
THIS EVENING.
IF YOU COULD JUST TAKE A MOMENT
FOR SILENT MEDITATION, PLEASE.
[MOMENT OF SILENCE]
>> THANK YOU.
I WOULD ASK COUNCILMAN BROWN TO
LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE.
>> ALL RISE.
>> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU CALL
THE ROLL, PLEASE.
[ROLL CALL]
>> WE HAVE TWO RECOGNITIONS TO
MAKE THIS EVENING.
THE FIRST BEING NATIONAL PUBLIC
WORKS WEEK PROCLAMATION.
WE WOULD LIKE MARVIN WILLIAMS
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO
JOIN ME AND ANYONE ELSE YOU
WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORTH.
SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE
POSTERS AS YOU CAME INTO THE
LOBBY THIS EVENING.
THIS PROCLAMATION SPEAKS TO THE
FACT THAT
WHEREAS,PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES
PROVIDED IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE AN
INTEGRAL PART OF OUR CITIZENS'
EVERYDAY LIVES; AND
HEREAS,THE SUPPORT OF AN
UNDERSTANDING AND INFORMED
CITIZENRY IS VITAL TO THE
EFFICIENT OPERATION OF PUBLIC
WORKS SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS SUCH
AS WATER, SEWERS, STREETS AND
HIGHWAYS, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION; AND
WHEREAS,THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND
COMFORT OF THIS COMMUNITY
GREATLY DEPENDS ON THESE
FACILITIES AND SERVICES; AND
WHEREAS,THE QUALITY AND
EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE
FACILITIES, AS WELL AS THEIR
PLANNING, DESIGN, AND
CONSTRUCTION, IS VITALLY
DEPENDENT UPON THE EFFORTS AND
SKILL OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICIALS
AND
WHEREAS,THE EFFICIENCY OF THE
QUALIFIED AND DEDICATED
PERSONNEL WHO STAFF PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENTS IS MATERIALLY
INFLUENCED BY THE PEOPLE'S
ATTITUDE AND UNDERSTANDING OF
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK THEY
PERFORM.
OW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM V.
“BILL” BELL, MAYOR OF THE CITY
OF DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, DO
HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF MAY
19-24, 2013 AS
“NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK”
IN DURHAM, AND HEREBY CALL UPON
ALL CITIZENS AND CIVIC
ORGANIZATIONS TO ACQUAINT
THEMSELVES WITH THE ISSUES
INVOLVED IN PROVIDING OUR PUBLIC
WORKS AND TO RECOGNIZE THE
CONTRIBUTIONS WHICH PUBLIC WORK
OFFICIALS MAKE EVERY DAY TO OUR
HEALTH, SAFETY, COMFORT, AND
QUALITY OF LIFE.
ITNESS MY HAND AND THE
CORPORATE SEAL OF THE CITY OF
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, THIS
20TH DAY OF MAY 2013.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT THIS
TO MR. WILLIAMS FOR ANY
COMMENTS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> WELL, THANK YOU, MAYOR BELL,
MAYOR PRO TEM, MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL.
ON BEHALF OF THE STAFF, I WOULD
LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE
RECINITION, ALL THE HARD WORK
THAT THE PUBLIC WORKS STAFF DOES
ON A DAILY BASIS.
WE'RE ONE OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS
THAT GOES UNNOTICED UNTIL
SOMETHING GOES WRONG.
IT IS GOOD TO GET A POSITIVE TO
REMIND THE STAFF AND PUBLIC THA
WHAT WE DO IS IMPORTANT.
WE HAD SEVERAL EVENTS PLANNED
FOR THIS YEAR, BUT UNFORTUNATEL
BECAUSE OF WEATHER AND END OF
GRADE TESTING WE HAD TO DELAY
UNTIL NEXT WEEK.
WE DID HAVE JOB SHADOWING GOING
ON, WHERE THE ENGINEERING, STOR
WATER STAFF WILL BE REPLACED
WITH THE MAINTENANCE STAFF FOR A
COUPLE OF DAYS, VICE VERSA.
ALSO HAVE A DEPARTMENT GATHERING
THIS FRIDAY AT THE OPERATION
CENTER.
NEXT WEEK, HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE
ABLE TO START CONSTRUCTION OF
THE RAIN GUARD FOR AN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL AND HAVE EQUIPMENT
DISPLAYS AT A FEW ELEMENTARY
SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.
TRYING TO WORK OUT THE EXACT
DATES.
THE WEATHER IS NOT ON OUR SIDE
THIS WEEK, WE WANT TO THANK YOU
FOR THAT, AND GIVE YOU DETAILS
ONCE WE HAVE THE DATES AND
LOCATIONS FINALIZED.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>> [INDISCERNIBLE].
>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT WHAT I'M
ABOUT TO DO.
THIS IS A FIRST YEAR THAT WE
HAVE HAD TWO WINNERS OF THE
COLE-McFADDEN DIVERSITY CHANGE
AGENT AWARDS.
THE COMMITTEE DECIDED IT WAS A
TIE AND BOTH SHOULD BE HONORED
AND RECOGNIZED FOR THE
CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE MADE TO
PROMOTE ADVERSITY THROUGH THEIR
ACTIONS AND DEEDS.
THE 2013 HONOREES ARE RUBY
HARGROVE-MONDS AND JOHN CONYERS.
GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
[APPLAUSE]
>> YOU MAY BE SEATED.
YOU WILL HAVE TO STAND ABOUT
THREE MORE TIMES.
RUBY HOR GRO-- HARGROVE-MONDS I
HIGHLY RESPECTED IN HER ROLE,
ALWAYS GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND
WHEN CALLS UPON.
SHE MAKES HERSELF AVAILABLE TO
TRAIN STAFF, SUPPORT DEPARTMENTS
AND NURTURE STAFF WHEN NEEDED.
SHE'S FAIR MINDED AND
DEMONSTRATES LEADERSHIP AT THE
HIGHEST LEVEL.
ABOVE ALL, SHE TREATS EVERYONE
FAIRLY AND WITH RESPECT.
SHE ALWAYS LEAVES A PERSON'S
DIGNITY INTACT AND MAINTAINS A
STRONG SENSE OF INTEGRITY IN AL
THAT SHE DOES.
SHE'S A MODEL EMPLOYEE FOR CITY
OF DURHAM.
NOW, JOHN CONYERS IS ALSO HIGHL
RESPECTED IN HIS ROLE AS
CUSTODIAN FOR CITY HALL.
JOHN CONYERS IS A DEDICATED
EMPLOYEE.
HE NEVER MEETS A STRANGER, AND
HE LOVES HIS JOB.
HIS FOCUS IS TO DO THE VERY BES
AT EVERY TASK THAT HE
UNDERTAKES.
JOHN ALWAYS DEMONSTRATES GENUIN
DIVERSITY BECAUSE HE CONNECTS
WELL WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL
BACKGROUNDS.
HE SPEAKS TO EVERYONE AND ALWAY
ASKS: HOW ARE YOU DOING?
AND HE WAITS FOR YOU TO RESPOND
HE REALLY DOES.
HE'S A GOOD LISTENER AND IS EAS
TO TALK TO.
HE TRIES TO SEE THE POSITIVE IN
EVERYONE, AND HE ALWAYS REACHES
OUT TO YOU.
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE THE
CITY MANAGER OR A STRANGER WHO
COMES TO CITY HALL.
HE'S THE SAME.
JOHN HAS AN EASY-GOING
TEMPERAMENT AND DEMONSTRATES
SELFLESSNESS IN HIS ACTIONS AND
DEEDS.
BOTH RUBY AND JOHN TRULY PROMOT
THE DIVERSITY COUNCIL'S MISSION,
WHICH IS HELPING CITY OF DURHAM
EMPLOYEES HONOR AND PROMOTE
DIVERSITY BY HELPING THEM TO
VALUE DIFFERENCES.
I AM PROUD TO HONOR BOTH OF THE
AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, PLEASE
WELCOME TO THE PODIUM, RUBY
HARGROVE-MONDS, AND JOHN
CONYERS.
COME ON DOWN!
[APPLAUSE]
[INDISCERNIBL
[INDISCERNIBLE].
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU
TO THE CITY OF DURHAM EMPLOYEES
AND TO THE PERSON WHO NOMINATED
ME.
THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK
MRS. COLE-McFADDEN, THE MAYOR
AND ALL OF CITY COUNCIL AND
WHOEVER NOMINATED ME FOR THE
AWARD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE]
>> LET ME ASK IF THERE ARE
COMMENTS BY ANY OTHER COUNCIL
MEMBERS?
IF NOT, I WOULD ASK FOR PRIORIT
ITEMS, FIRST BY THE CITY
MANAGER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, GOOD
EVENING, EVERYONE.
NO PRIORITY ITEMS THIS EVENING.
>> LIKEWISE, CITY ATTORNEY?
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR, NO
PRIORITY ITEMS.
>> MADAM CITY CLERK?
>> NO ITEMS, MR. MAYOR.
>> WE'LL PROCEED WITH THE AGENDA
AS PRESENTED.
THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS, AS YO
KNOW MAY BE APPROVED WITH A
SINGLE VOTE.
IF A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OR A
MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC ASKS FOR A
CONSENT AGENDA ITEM TO BE
REMOVED FOR DISCUSSION, WE'LL D
THAT AND DISCUSS IT LATER IN TH
PROGRAM.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
1. OVERTIME PERFORMANCE AUDIT
MARCH 2013
2. STORMWATER UTILITY FEE
PERFORMANCE AUDIT APRIL 2013
. REQUEST TO AMEND GRANT
PROJECT ORDINANCE #14398 HIGH
INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA
(HIDTA)
5. CONTRACT ST-265: 2013 STREET
REPAIRS AND REPAVING
6. THIS ITEM CAN BE FOUND ON THE
GENERAL BUSINESS AGENDA.
7. CONTRACT MR-10 - RESIDENTIAL
METER REPLACEMENT PROJECT PHASE
IV - VANGUARD UTILITY SERVICE,
INC.
8. DEPARTMENT OF WATER
MANAGEMENT MIST LAKE FACILITY
MASTER PLAN
9. THIS ITEM CAN BE FOUND ON TH
GENERAL BUSINESS AGENDA.
10. THIS ITEM CAN BE FOUND ON
THE GENERAL BUSINESS AGENDA -
PUBLIC HEARING.
ENTERTAIN A MOTION FOR THE
APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA
ITEMS.
PROPERLY MOVED AND SECONDED.
MADAM CLERK, OPEN THE VOTE.
CLOSE THE VOTE.
>> PASSES 6-0.
>> MOVING TO THE GENERAL
BUSINESS AGENDA.
I'M GOING TO ASK THAT ITEM 9,
THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR
2013-2014 BUDGET, AND FISCAL
YEAR 2013-2014 CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PLAN BE PRESENTED
FIRST.
AND THEN WE WILL HAVE ITEM 6 ON
THE GENERAL BUSINESS AGENDA.
I WILL TURN THE PROGRAM OVER TO
THE CITY MANAGER, TOM BONFIELD.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR BELL, MAYOR
PRO TEM COLE-McFADDEN, CITY
ATTORNEY, CITY CLERK, STAFF THAT
ARE HERE THIS EVENING, RESIDENT
OF DURHAM HERE TODAY AND THOSE
VIEWING ON DTV-8 OR POSSIBLY IN
A FEW DAYS FROM NOW, ON DEMAND,
IT CONTINUES TO BE MY HONOR TO
BE ENTRUSTED TO LEAD THIS GREAT
ORGANIZATION AND OVER 2400 CITY
EMPLOYEES COMMITTED TO SERVICE
WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND
THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.
I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE BEFORE
EVERYONE THIS EVENING TO
OFFICIALLY PRESENT THE PROPOSED
BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF DURHAM
FOR THE 2013-2014 FISCAL YEAR.
FOR YEARS, WE HAVE LIVED HERE,
HAVE KNOWN THAT DURHAM IS A
GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, AND
PLAY.
EACH YEAR THAT FACT IS AFFIRMED
BY VISITORS, NATIONAL
PUBLICATIONS AND MANY OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS.
JUST LAST MONTH, THE SMOFFICE,
THE WORLD'S SMALLEST OFFICE
RECEIVED AN INTERNATIONAL WORLD
FOR INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE AWARD
WAS EVER RECEIVED BY A CITY IN
THE UNITED STATES.
I CONGRATULATE OUR GREATER
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND DOWNTOW
DURHAM, INC. FOR PUTTING OUR
INNOVATION ON THE GLOBAL MAP.
AMONG OTHER RECOGNITIONS, YOU
MAY RECALL BACK IN APRIL, LAST
MONTH, DURHAM WAS NAMED THE
TASTIEST TOWN IN THE SOUTH BY
SOUTHERN LIVING MAG ZONE.
AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT ALMOST
EVERY ONE OF US WOULD AGREE
WITH.
DURHAM WITH THE MORE THAN 100
RESTAURANTS SHARED COMPANY WITH
OTHER MEGASTAR DEST NAGDZS LIKE
NEW ORLEANS, CHARLESTON AND
MEMPHIS ... AND WE WON!
THANKS TO OUR GREAT AND VARIED
CULTURE BUT -- EXCUSE ME, THANKS
TO OUR GREAT AND VARIED
CUISINE -- WE HAVE GREAT
CULTURE, BUT THE CUISINE, AND
THANKS TO THE VISITORS.
AND WE THANK THE CONVENTION
VISITORS' BUREAU FOR THIS
ACOLAID.
THE FOOD SCENE IS DIVERSE,
AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY SUSTAINABLE,
ACCESSIBLE AND OF COURSE
DELICIOUS.
THIS YEAR, I THOUGHT ABOUT THE
TASTY TOWN THEME AND ALL THE
WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT, I THOUGHT
IT WAS ANALOGY GOS TO DEVELOPING
A BUDGET.
IT IS SUSTAINABLE.
CAN WE MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS FOR
THE LONG HAUL?
IS IT AFFORDABLE?
DO WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PAY
FOR OUR NEEDS AND WANTS?
IS THERE DIVERSITY?
DOES IT CONTAIN SOMETHING FOR
EVERYONE?
IS IT HEALTHY?
DOES THE BUDGET CONTAIN THE
RIGHT INGREDIENTS FOR PROPER
DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH?
AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE
SOMETHING OF EVERYTHING ON THE
MENU, HOW DO WE SELECT WHAT END
UP ON OUR PLATE?
THE PROPOSED BUDGET ATTEMPTS TO
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS.
JUST AS THE TASTIEST TOWN TITLE
WAS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE OF VOTER
PARTICIPATION, THE CITY'S BUDGET
PROCESS ALSO NEEDED COMMUNITY
PARTICIPATION.
IN PAST YEARS WE LISTENED TO
ELE
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS
AS WE LOOKED AT THE BUDGET.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE
MAYOR, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE
RESIDENTS THAT LET US HEAR THEIR
VOICES ALONG THE WAY.
WHILE DURHAM'S RESTAURANT SCENE
IS VARIED, THE RESTAURANTS ALL
HAVE A STRATEGIC FOCUS, GREAT
FOOD AND GREAT SERVICE.
DURHAM'S CONTINGENT GOALS ARE
FOR THE CITY.
THEY'RE MEASURED TO ENSURE
RESOURCES ARE USED EFFECTIVELY
AND THE DECISIONS ABOUT THE
BUDGET ARE BASED ON DATA.
THE GOALS DEMAND BUDGET
PRIORITIES AND PROGRAMS SUPPORT
IMPROVING THE CITY'S ECONOMY,
COMMUNITY, NEIGHBORHOODS
MANAGEMENT OR INFRASTRUCTURE.
WHILE IN THE END, IT IS ALL
ABOUT THE FOOD, BUT TO BE
SUCCESSFUL RESTAURANTS HAVE TO
BE WELL MANAGED.
THAT INCLUDES BEING PROPERLY
FINANCED, BEING CREATIVE WITH
ATMOSPHERE AND PRESENTATION,
HAVING GREAT EMPLOYEES THAT
PROVIDE GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.
REDUCING WAYS TO BE
COST-EFFECTIVE.
YOU GET THE PICTURE.
TO OUR COMMITMENT FOR BEING A
WELL-MANAGED CITY INCLUDES
HIGHLY ENGAGED WORKFORCE,
COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE,
CREATIVITY AND SERVICE.
WE'RE AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORK
TO PROVIDE COST-EFFECTIVE
SERVICES AND ADHERES TO SOUND
FINANCIAL PRACTICES.
MANY FACTORS DETERMINE A
WELL-MANAGED CITY, INCLUDING
COST OF SERVICES, ADEQUATE
RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THEM,
INCLUDING FAIR AND REASONABLE
TAX RATES ALONG WITH RESPONSIBLE
VET RATIOS, BOND RATINGS AND
RESERVES.
THIS YEAR'S PROPOSED TOTAL
BUDGET IS $381 MILLION FOR ALL
FUNDS AND REPRESENTS A
7.8 MILLION OR A LITTLE MORE
THAN 2% INCREASE OVER LAST
YEAR'S BUDGET.
THE PROPOSED GENERAL FUND
BUDGET, WHICH PROVIDES FOR MOST
OF THE CITY'S CORE SERVICES IS
ALMOST $170 MILLION A DECREASE
OF A LITTLE MORE THAN $7 MILLIO
OR 4% FROM LAST YEAR.
THIS IS IN LARGE PART THE RESUL
OF A NEW SPECIAL REVENUE FUND TO
BETTER TRACT THE PENNY FOR
HOUSING TAX FROM LAST YEAR AND
PUT FUNDS MORE APPROPRIATE INTO
THE DEBT FUND.
ALL TOLD, FROM A BUDGET TO
BUDGET BASIS, PROPERTY AND SALES
TAX REVENUE, THE LARGEST AMOUNT
OF REVENUE TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS
ARE EXPECTED TO BE RELATIVELY
FLAT, EVEN IN BEST-CASE
ANALYSIS.
ACTUAL REVENUES ARE NOT EVEN
MEETING THIS YEAR'S BUDGET
ESTIMATES.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BRIGHT SPOT
OF THE REVENUE PICTURE IS THE
PROJECTED GROWTH DUE TO THE
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY AND
BUILDING PERMIT REVIEWS THAT WE
ARE SEEING AGAIN THIS YEAR.
WE ARE EXPECTED TO SEE NEXT
YEAR.
THE RECOMMENDED TOTAL PROPERTY
TAX RATE FOR NEXT YEAR REMAINS
AT 56.75 CENTS PER HUNDRED
DOLLARS OF TAXABLE VALUE.
THE TABLE SHOWS HOW THE PROPERT
TAX IS TO BE ALLOCATED TO COVER
PROPERTY TAX SUPPORTED CITY
EXPENSES.
THIS INCLUDES INCREASED SUPPORT
FOR TRANSIT AND REALLOCATION OF
SUPPORT FOR DEBT-RELATED
EXPENDITURES AND CONTINUED PENNY
PER HOUSING.
THE PROPOSED GENERAL FUND
EXPENDITURES INCLUDE A SMALL
INCREASE IN PERSONNEL
EXPENDITURES, DECREASE IN
OPERATING EXPENDITURES AND
SIZABLE DECREASE IN TRANSFERS A
DISCUSSED IN THE TAX RATE
COMPARISON CHART.
THE GENERAL FUND IS PRINCIPALLY
SUPPORTED BY PROPERTY TAX, SALES
TAX AND DISTRIBUTION OF
STATE-COLLECTED LOCAL REVENUES.
WHILE THE LOCAL ECONOMY IS
CERTAINLY ON THE REBOUND, INN
AIN'T CREASE IN THE REVENUES TO
THE ANTICIPATED LEVELS HAS JUST
NOT OCCURRED.
THE SLUGGISH REVENUE GROWTH,
COUPLED WITH CONTINUED INCREASE
IN PUBLIC SAFETY COSTS AND THE
DECLINE IN STATE AND FEDERAL
REVENUE SOURCES TO SUPPORT
EXISTING TRANSIT SERVICES HAVE
REQUIRED THAT WE LOOK AT OTHER
OPERATIONS TO REDUCE COSTS AND
BALANCE THE BUDGET.
AS A RESULT, THE PROPOSED BUDGE
CUTS $1.5 MILLION INCLUDING 16
POSITIONS FROM OPERATING
DEPARTMENT BUDGETS.
FOUR OF THESE 16 POSITIONS ARE
CURRENTLY FILLED AND WE EXPECT
THAT THE AFFECTED EMPLOYEES WILL
BE TRANSITIONED TO OTHER
COMPARABLE POSITIONS.
THE PROPOSED BUDGET CONTINUES T
MEET OUR GENERAL FUND BALANCE
RESERVE POLICIES WHICH ARE
PROJECTED TO BE 12.15% AT
YEAR-END.
THE PROPOSED BUDGET USING
$300,000 OF FUND BALANCE
RESERVES FOR ONE-TIME
EXPENDITURES.
THE CITY CONTINUES TO ENJOY AN
OUTSTANDING CREDIT RATING BY AL
RATING AGENCIES IN PART DUE TO
DEBT RATIO CONSISTENT WITH CITY
POLICIES THAT IS PROJECTED TO B
AT 14.32% NEXT YEAR, WHICH IS
BELOW THE BUDGET GUIDELINE OF
15%.
AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THE CITY
EMPLOYEES CONTINUE TO EXCEL AND
ARE AT THE CORE OF THE POSITIVE
RESIDENT SATISFACTION RESULTS
FROM THE RECENT SURVEYS.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY
MAINTAIN A MOTIVATED WORKFORCE.
IT WAS HOPED THAT THIS WOULD
HELP REININSTITUTE A MORE ROBUS
WORKFORCE, UNFORTUNATELY,
CURRENT RESOURCES CANNOT SUPPORT
MORE THAN THAT OVER THE LAST TWO
YEARS, WHICH IS A 2% INCREASE
FOR GENERAL EMPLOYEE PAY PLAN
AND 3% TO 5% FOR THE POLICE AND
FIRE PAY PLANS.
THE PAY ADJUSTMENTS ARE
CERTAINLY IN LINE WITH CURRENT
INFLATIONARY GUIDELINES THEY IN
NO WAY REFLECT WHAT I BELIEVE
OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE EARNED.
ON A BRIGHT NOTE, THE CITY'S
SELF-INSURANCE HEALTH PLAN
CONTINUES TO PERFORM AT A HIGH
LEVEL.
AS A RESULT, WE'RE PLEASED THAT
FOR A SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
THERE IS NOT A PREMIUM INCREASE
FOR HEALTH INSURANCE.
THIS IS PARTICULARLY NOTEWORTHY
AS HEALTH INDUSTRY TRENDS
CONTINUE TO REFLECT DOUBLE
DIGICOST INCREASES.
DENTAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS WILL,
HOWEVER, NEED TO BE INCREASED B
3%.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
CONTRIBUTE GREATLY TO A WELL-RU
CITY.
DURHAM PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE
CITY, COUNTY AND DURHAM PUBLIC
SCHOOLS ARE CRITICAL TO ENSURE
THAT RESIDENTS THAT RESOURCES
ARE DEPLOYED EFFICIENTLY,
COLLABORATIVELY AND WITHOUT
DUPLICATION.
THIS PAST YEAR, WE SAW THE
FRUITION OF COLLABORATIONS IN
THE JOINT STRATEGIC PLANS TO
BENEFIT THE OVERALL COMMUNITY.
THIS PROPOSED BUDGET CONTINUES
TO BUILD ON THE AGREED UPON
RESPONSIBILITIES, INCLUDING
WARRANT CONTROL, SUSTAINABILITY
CONNECTING YOUTH, SCHOOL
RESOURCES AND MANY OTHER AREAS.
ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT THIS YEAR,
I'M RECOMMENDING THE CITY
PARTNER WITH THE COUNTY AND
DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO FUND
NEW POSITIONS FOR THE DURHAM
SYSTEM OF CARE.
THESE POSITIONS WILL SUPPORT TH
CHALLENGES OF AT-RISK YOUTH AND
CONNECT ALL YOUTH IN OUR
COMMUNITY AS IS RECOMMENDED IN
THE IBM SMARTER CITY'S CHALLENG
INITIATIVE THAT WAS COMPLETED
LAST YEAR.
PROMOTING A STRONG AND DIVERSE
ECONOMY THROUGH GROWTH AND
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY INCLUDING
SMALL AND PRINCIPLE PRINCIPLIAL
BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUES TO BE A
THE FOREFRONT OF THE MENU OF
THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
CONTINUED SIGNS OF ECONOMIC
RECOVERY CAN BE SEEN THROUGHOUT
THE COMMUNITY.
FROM THE CONTINUED RESURGENCE O
DOWNTOWN'S NEW RESTAURANTS,
HOTELS AND RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS
TO EXPANSIONS ON DUKE'S MEDICAL
CAMPUS, TO NEW VISION FOR
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, IT IS
NOT DIFFICULT TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT
OUR PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS.
YEAH, WE KNOW MANY GAPS REMAIN
TO ENSURE THAT ECONOMIC PROGRES
AND PROSPERITY IS SHARED
THROUGHOUT DURHAM.
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT GRANTS ARE
FUNDED TO BOOST DOWNTOWN
REVITALIZATION.
THIS BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES FUNDS
FOR PARIS STREET IMPROVEMENTS
AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD
REVITALIZATION GRANTS.
THE DOWNTOWN BILL IS TO REMAIN
AT 7 CENTS PER ASSESSED VALUE
AND RECEIVE POSITIVE REVIEWS.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS
OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE
FIND YOUR COOL SUMMER CONCERT
SERIES THAT HAS BEGUN DOWNTOWN,
BRINGING EMPLOYEES AND DURHAM
RESIDENTS TO THE HEART OF
DOWNTOWN TO ENJOY GREAT MUSIC
AND OUR RESTAURANTS, OF COURSE.
I HAVE MET EVERYONE DOWNTOWN,
EVERY NIGHT, EVERY THURSDAY
NIGHT THIS SUMMER TO CHECK IT
OUT.
CONNECTING BUSINESSES TO
JOBSEEKERS IS ANOTHER HIGH
PRIORITY.
WE CONTINUE TO PRIDE BUSINESS TO
DOWNTOWN DURHAM, INC., AREA
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WE
WILL CONTINUE THE JOB LINK
CAREER CENTER PARTNERSHIP TO
TRAIN AND CONNECT POTENTIAL
EMPLOYEES TO BUSINESSES SEEKING
LOCAL TALENT.
UNEMPLOYMENT IS STILL TOO HIGH
FOR AREA YOUTH AND TO HELP
REMEDY THAT THE NEWLY BRANDED
DURHAM YOUTH WORK INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM REPRESENTS A BROAD-BASED
COMMUNITY APPROACH TO PROVIDE
JOBS TO YOUTH.
SPECIAL THANKS TO DURHAM COUNTY.
THE DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE
JOB LINK CAREER CENTER SYSTEM,
THE DURHAM WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
BOARD AND PRIVATE SECONDER
BUSINESSES TO HELPING EXPAND
THIS PROGRAM.
ALSO ARTS AND CULTURE CONTINUES
TO BE A GREAT SOURCE OF LEISURE
ENTERTAINMENT AND AN ECONOMIC
DRIVER.
IN ADDITION TO THE
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT
OPERATES THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL
DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
WITHOUT OUTSIDE OPERATING
SUPPORT, THIS BUDGET ALSO
PROVIDES OVER $1.6 MILLION TO
SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF OTHER
GREAT ARTS AND CULTURE VENUES A
SEEN ON THE SLIDE AS WELL AS
NATIONALLY RENOWNED SIGNATURE
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS.
CONTINUED FUNDING FOR PUBLIC AR
IS ALSO INCLUDED.
THE CITY WILL PARTNER WITH THE
CULTURAL ADVISORY BOARD, DURHAM
ARTS COUNCIL AND OTHER LOCAL
AGENCY ON THE DURHAM ARTS
COUNCIL SMART GRANT TO DEVELOP
PLAN TO USE ART TO IMPROVE
CONNECTIVITY.
A SAFE AND SECURE COMMUNITY
CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE
COMMUNITY'S HIGHEST PRIORITIES
AND USES THE GREATEST
AVAILABLE -- GREATEST SHARE OF
AVAILABLE RESOURCES.
THANKS TO CONTINUED COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT AS WELL AS BEST
PRACTICE PUBLIC SAFETY
INITIATIVES, PARTNERSHIPS,
DURHAM'S CRIME RATE CONTINUES ON
A DOWNWARD TREND.
AT THE FIRST TIME RESPONSE TIME
HAVE IMPROVED BECAUSE OF
IMPROVED TECHNOLOGIES AND BETTE
DEPLOYMENT OF RESOURCES.
A NEW JOINT INITIATIVE TO
IMPROVE CARDIAC RESUSCITATION
RATES IS ALSO SHOWING
SIGNIFICANT RESULTS.
WHILE THREE ADMINISTRATIVE
POSITIONS IN THE POLICE AND FIR
DEPARTMENTS WERE ELIMINATED IN
THE BUDGET, ALL OF THE SWORN
POSITIONS ARE FULLY FUNDED.
THE BUDGET INCLUDES FUNDING FOR
16 POLICE DEPARTMENT POSITIONS
THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED BY
GRANTS.
IT ALSO INCLUDES A 911 SYSTEMS
MANAGER THAT WOULD BE FUNDED BY
EXISTING TELEPHONE SURCHARGES.
OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE NEW FUNDING
FOR ADDITIONAL STAFFING, FOR
FORENSICS ACCREDITATION.
AS YOU WILL SEE LATER IN THE
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, DESIG
SUPPORT FOR NEW POLICE
HEADQUARTERS, NEW 911 CENTER,
NEW FIRE STATION IN SOUTHEAST
DURHAM AND ADDITIONAL AUTOMATIC
VEHICLE LOCATORS ON FIRE
VEHICLES TO IMPROVE RESPONSE
TIMES.
AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS
BUDGET CONTINUES TO FUND PUBLIC
SAFETY PARTNERSHIPS WITH DURHAM
COUNTY.
AND I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE
BASED ON STATISTICS THE
FOUR-YEAR WARRANT BACKLOG
ELIMINATION PROJECT FUNDED BY
THE CITY AND COUNTY IS EXPECTED
TO BE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED BY
THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
THIS BUDGET FULLY FUNDS THE
CITY'S SHARE TO COMPLETE THAT
PROJECT.
THIS BUDGET ALSO BEGINS TO FUND
A NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE
CITY, COUNTY AND SHERIFF'S
OFFICE TO PROVIDE ONGOING
WARRANT CONTROL SUPPORT IN THE
MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE.
THE BUDGET ALSO CONTINUES THE
FUNDING PARTNERSHIP WITH DURHAM
COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE GANG
REDUCTION INITIATIVE, HOUSED IN
THE CRIMINAL RESOURCE CENTER.
DURHAM'S UNDERFUNDED CRIMINAL
JUSTICE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BE
GREAT CHALLENGE AND BURDEN.
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, THE CITY
HAS DIRECTLY PROVIDED A SECURE
GRANT FUNDING FOR A NUMBER OF
POSITIONS THAT OTHERWISE WOULD
BE FUNDED BY A PROPERLY FUNDED
JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
AS FEDERAL AND STATE SUPPORTED
RESOURCE GRANTS CONTINUE TO
DWINDLE, THERE IS EVEN MORE
PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN THESE
PROGRAMS THAT FURTHER STRAINS
AVAILABLE LOCAL RESOURCES FOR
THE CORE SERVICES.
THIS BUDGET PROVIDES FUNDING FO
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE JUDGES, AND
MOST OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
FOR GANG PROSECUTION.
CONTINUED FUNDING FOR OTHER
GRANT, CRIMINAL JUSTICE
POSITIONS THAT HAVE OR WILL
EXPIRE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS
ARE NOT PROVIDED IN THIS BUDGET.
STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS ARE THE
BUILDING BLOCKS OF A THRIVING
AND LIVEABLE COMMUNITY AND
CONTINUE TO BE A HIGH PRIORITY
FOR DURHAM.
WHILE MANY DURHAM NEIGHBORHOODS
ARE SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICES
THEY RECEIVE FROM THE CITY, WE
KNOW OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS NEED
ADDITIONAL HELP AND ATTENTION TO
BECOME THRIVABLE AND LIVEABLE.
IN ADDITION TO EXISTING PROGRAM
TO SUPPORT AND IMPROVE
NEIGHBORHOODS SUCH AS CODE AND
ENFORCE TO THE CITY'S DEDICATED
HOUSING FUND, A NEW INITIATIVE
IS FUNDED THIS YEAR.
THE GOAL OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD
COMPASS IS TO COLLECT DATA THAT
PROVIDES KEY INFORMATION TO
EVALUATE AND IMPROVE THE QUALIT
OF LIFE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND
THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE.
IT IS BUILT ON A MODEL THAT IS
PROVEN TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN MANY
COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE AND
SUPPORTS A KEY INITIATIVE IN TH
STRATEGIC PLAN.
WE DEVELOP WITHIN THE SOUTH SIDE
COMMUNITY HIT FULL STRIDE AND
PROMISE TO DELIVER THE FIRST
TANGIBLE FRUITS OF DECADES OF
PLANNING AND EFFORTS IN THE
INTERSECTION OF LAKEWOOD AND
ROCKSBORO AND FIRST PHASE OF
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP UNITS
ARE COMPLETES NEXT YEAR.
THESE PROVIDE FOR THE INITIATED.
>> IN THAT, NEEDED TO.
REDUCING CURRENT ROUTES IN THE
NEWLY ENACTED MOTOR VEHICLE FEE
CHARGES FOR EXPANDED SERVICE.
THESE WILL GENERATE AN
ADDITIONAL $371,000 TO SUPPORT
CLOSING THE $1.6 MILLION FUNDING
GAP IN DATA THAT WE STARTED WIT
IN TRANSIT.
THE PUBLIC HEARING ASSOCIATED
WITH THESE FARE CHANGES WILL BE
HELD JUNE 3 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING.
THE FISCAL YEAR 2013 IS A
CRITICAL YEAR FOR THE CITY'S
TRANSIT SYSTEM.
WHILE THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
WITH TRIANGLE TRANSIT HAS BEEN
SUCCESSFUL FOR THE FINANCIAL
LIABILITY AND CONTINUED SUCCESS
IN THE LONG-TERM, IT IS CRITICA
THAT A COMPLETE AND FULLY FUNDE
TRANSITION PLAN BE DEVELOPED TO
ENSURE THE BASIC AND ENHANCED
SERVICES ARE PROPERLY FUNDED.
OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
DEPARTMENT HAS CONTINUED TO
IMPROVE THAT PURSUING
EFFICIENCIES AND COST-EFFECTIVE
PRACTICES AS WELL AS IDENTIFYIN
ADDITIONAL REVENUE GENERATING
OPPORTUNITIES.
THE DEPARTMENT IS PRIMARILY
SUPPORTED BY GENERAL FUND TAX
REVENUES RATHER THAN A DIRECT
USER CHARGE.
FORTUNATELY THE OVER ALL GENERA
FUND HAS BENEFITTED GREATLY FROM
THE COST-SAVINGS.
THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO
PURSUE WASTE DIVERSION AND
SEEING AN INCREASED INTEREST IN
YARD WASTE AND RECYCLING
PROGRAMS.
THERE WILL BE A PROGRAM IN THE
COMING YEAR CALLED OPERATION
DIVERT.
AS A RESULT, THE SOLID WASTE TO
BE PRESENTED TO CITY COUNCIL AT
THURSDAY'S WORKSESSION, A
$3.4 MILLION TRANSFER STATION
INDUSTRIES WILL BE IMPROVED.
THE DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO
STRUGGLE WITH ADEQUATE RESOURCES
TO PROVIDE FOR A TRUCK FLEET
THAT MEETS THE DAILY DEMANDS TO
COLLECT WASTE FROM EACH
HOUSEHOLD EACH WEEK.
TO ENSURE A DEDICATED FUNDING
SOURCE TO PROVIDE FOR FLEET
REPLACEMENT, THIS INCLUDES A
SOLID WASTE CAPITOL RECOVERY FE
OF $1.50 PER HOUSEHOLD PER MONTH
BEGINNING JULY 1 FOR MOST THIS
WILL BE ON THE WATER BILL.
THIS IS NEW TO DURHAM, WE'RE ONE
OF THE LAST CITIES IN NORTH
CAROLINA TO INITIATE A MONTHLY
CHARGE FOR GARBAGE COLLECTION
SERVICES.
THE DOWNTOWN AND 9th STREET
PARKING STUDY WAS COMMISSIONED
THIS FISCAL YEAR TO VAULT THE
PARKING RESOURCES AND NEEDS IN
THESE TWO IMPORTANT DISTRICTS.
THE RESULTS WILL BE PRESENTED T
COUNCIL LATER THIS SUMMER.
THIS BUDGET, HOWEVER, DOES
CONTAIN SEVERAL OF THE
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE STUDY
INCLUDING THE MONTHLY FEES FOR
PARKING LOTS, PARKING DECKS IN
THE DOWNTOWN AREA, BEGINNING
OCTOBER 1 AS WELL AS INCREASED
SPECIAL EVENT PARKING FEES BY $
BEGINNING JULY 1.
THE INCREASED RATES WILL
GENERATE AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF
$245,000 PER YEAR, THAT WOULD
OTHERWISE BE REQUIRED OF THE
GENERAL FUND TO SUBSIDIZE THE
PARKING FUND.
THE PARKING STUDY ALSO
IDENTIFIES THE NEED FOR A
FULL-TIME POSITION TO MANAGE
PARKING RESOURCES.
THESE ACTIVITIES ARE CURRENTLY
MANAGED ONLY AS TIME PERMITS
WITH EXISTING RESOURCES AND THE
PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES THIS
RECOMMENDATION.
MAINTAINING AND MANAGING
PHYSICAL, FISCAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSETS TO OBTAIN
COMMUNITY GOALS IS A CRITICAL
COMPONENT OF OUR SUCCESS.
BECAUSE THE ASSETS ARE SOMETIMES
LESS VISIBLE, CAN BE COSTLY TO
IMPROVE, DELAYS ARE OFTEN MADE
BECAUSE OF OTHER NEEDING.
THE CITY HAS MADE STRIDES TO
ADDRESS FUNDING FOR
LONG-STANDING PHYSICAL ASSET
DEFICIENCIES.
THIS BUDGET CONTINUES THIS
PROGRESS, EVEN THOUGH RESOURCE
RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE TO KEEP US
FROM REACHING IDEAL SPENDING
PATTERNS.
THE PLACING OF THE AGING WATER
AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE WHILE
MEETING INCREASINGLY STRINGENT
WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS
CONTINUES TO BE A HIGH PRIORITY
FOR THE CITY.
THE RATE INCREASES RECENTLY
APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ARE
INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET AND
THESE WILL INCREASE MORE THAN
$3 MILLION FOR WATER, SEWER AND
STORM WATER IMPROVEMENTS.
THIS BUDGET CONTINUES FUNDING
DEFERRED MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AT
$500,000.
A COMPLETE LIST OF PROJECTS TO
BE FUNDED WOULD BE PROVIDED TO
THE CITY COUNCIL DURING THE
UPCOMING BUDGET WORKSESSIONS.
THE COMPLETION OF THE 2010 BOND
PAVING PROGRAM EARLIER THIS YEAR
SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE
CONTINUE OF POOR AND VERY POOR
RATED STREETS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
A NEW PAVEMENT CONDITION SURVEY
IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY AND WILL
PROVIDE AN UPDATED LOOK AT THE
CONDITIONS OF OUR STREETS.
DESPITE CONTINUING RESOURCE
LIMITATIONS, THE BUDGET DOES
PROVIDE $750,000 FOR STREET
REPAVING TO MEET EXPECTED NEEDS
HOWEVER THIS IS SHORT OF OUR
INITIAL BUDGET GOAL OF
$1 MILLION.
THIS BUDGET DOES INCLUDE DEBT
FINANCING TO ACQUIRE
APPROXIMATELY $6 MILLION FOR TH
FLEET VEHICLES INCLUDING POLICE
AND FIRE VEHICLES.
THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
INCLUDES NEARLY $53 MILLION FOR
NEW PROJECTS OR TO COMPLETE
EXISTING PROJECTS.
ON THIS, THE PRACTICOJECTS DEEM
ESSENTIAL.
MANY OF WHICH ARE REFERRED
EARLIER IN THE PRESENTATION.
I'M CONFIDENT THIS BUDGET
PROPOSAL REPRESENTS A HEALTHY,
SUSTAINABLE, VARIED AND
AFFORDABLE MENU THAT MEETS
DURHAM'S NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS.
JUST AS ANY DINING EXPERIENCE,
YOUR THOUGHTS ARE IMPORTANT.
WE'RE NOT AVAILABLE FOR A
CRITIQUE ON YELP, QUESTIONS AND
COMMENTS CAN BE SENT IN, IN A
NUMBER OF WAYS.
BY E-MAIL, THE CITY'S FACEBOOK
OR TWITTER FEED OR BY SUBMISSION
ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO LET US
KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.
WE'LL RESPOND TO YOUR COMMENTS
AND ANSWER AS MANY QUESTIONS AS
WE CAN DURING THE LIVE eTOWN
HALL EVENT WHICH WILL BE
STREAMED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE
AND AIRED LIVE ON TV.
HERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO LET US
KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.
COPIES OF THE PRELIMINARY BUDGET
ARE AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE,
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE AND LIBRARY
BRANCHES.
LATER THIS YEAR, WE'LL CONDUCT
THE 2013 RESIDENT SATISFACTION
SURVEY FOR MORE POSITIVE
FEEDBACK ABOUT HOW WE ARE DOING
AS WE OPERATE PIR FOR THE 2013
RESIDENT SATISFACTION SURVEY, WE
WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO
MAXIMIZE SATISFACTION BY
ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO THE
HIGHEST COMMUNITY PRIORITIES.
KNOWING THAT THE RESULT OF THE
2011 SURVEY INDICATED THAT 3 AN
FOUR RESIDENTS IN DURHAM BELIEV
THE CITY WAS MOVING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION AND THAT THIS LEVEL OF
SATISFACTION IS UP ALMOST 25%
FROM 2005.
I'M CONFIDENT THAT WORKING
TOGETHER, WE CAN FIND THE RIGHT
BALANCE TO OPTIMIZE RESOURCES
AND PRIORITIES, BUT CLEARLY, WE
COULDN'T AFFORD EVERY ITEM ON
THE MENU.
AS COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY CONTINUE TO FACE
UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES, WE ARE
FORTUNATE TO LIVE IN A PLACE
THAT CONTINUES TO LEAD, CREATE
AND INNOVATE WITH INCREDIBLY
ENGAGED RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SHOW
A GREAT AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY TO
CONTINUE THE COMMITMENT OF
INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT TO
ADVANCE OUR COMMUNITY AND MEET
THE NEEDS OF ALL OUR RESIDENTS
WITH TRANSPARENCY, STEWARDSHIP
AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.
IN CLOSING I WANT TO REITERATE
ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE STAFF
THAT WE ARE HONORED TO BE
ENTRUSTED WITH THE STEWARDSHIP
OF THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND
TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF
DURHAM.
I CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE AND
VALUE THE CLOSE WORKING
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL, CITY
ADMINISTRATION AND ALSO
CONGRATULATE ALL MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL ON YOUR COLLEGIALITY IN
WHICH YOU CONDUCT BUSINESS AND
INTERACT.
YOUR POLITICAL LEADERSHIP AND
UNSELFISH DEDICATION IN THE
COMMUNITY ARE APPRECIATED AND AT
THE SAME TIME INSPIRING.
IT HAS BEEN SOMETIME SINCE THE
CITY COUNCIL WAS A COMPLETE BOD
AT MEETING DUR TO COUNCIL
MEMBERS CLEMENT'S ABSENT.
I SPOKE TO HIM THIS EVENING.
LAST WEEK, HE REACHED A 30-YEAR
ANNIVERSARY MARK ON THE CITY
COUNCIL.
A MILESTONE IN HIS COMMITMENT OF
SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY THAT
SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND
CELEBRATED.
[APPLAUSE]
MR. CLEMENT, I KNOW YOU ARE
STILL LISTENING, YOU PROMISED M
YOU WOULD BE.
AFTER HEARING A CITY MANAGER
PRESENT A BUDGET FOR THE 30th
TIME, I'M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD
AND SEEN IT ALL.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW WE MISS YOUR
PRESENCE AND HOPE TO SEE YOU
BACK WITH US SOON.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WANT YOU TO
KNOW THIS GREAT MILESTONE WAS
NOT MISSED OR NOT RECOGNIZED
BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T BE AT THE
DAIS THIS EVENING.
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU
FOR THE LONGEVITY OF SERVICE TO
THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY.
WE HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SOON.
WE WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO THE
BUDGET SERVICES MANAGER
DIRECTOR.
BERTHA JOHNSON AND THE STAFF IS
SITTING ON THE FRONT ROW AS THEY
HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF
NOT JUST THE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS BUT ALSO THE CONTINUED
EXECUTION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN
THE ALIGNMENT OF THE DEPARTME
DEPARTMENTDEPARTME
DEPARTMENTAL STRATEGIC PLAN,
PERFORMANCE DASHBOARD AND MANY
OTHER PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
INITIATIVES THIS YEAR.
THANK YOU.
FINALLY, I ALSO WANT TO
ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF PUBLIC
AFFAIRS DIRECTOR BEVERLY
THOMPSON, THE ENTIRE STAFF, NOT
ONLY FOR WORK ON THIS
PRESENTATION, BUT FOR ALL THEY
DO TO PRESENT THE CITY OF
NOTHING WITH THE BEST IMAGE AND
TRANSPARENT LIGHT.
WE WILL CONTINUE STRIVING TO
MAKE DURHAM A PLACE OF
EXCELLENCE WHERE GREAT THINGS
CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.
LET'S DIG IN.
THANK YOU.
>> AS TOM COMES BACK TO THE
DAIS, I CERTAINLY WANT TO THANK
HIM FOR PRESENTING A
WELL-ARTICULATED BUDGET.
I THINK IT REFLECTS MANY OF THE
CONCERNS AND COMMENTS THAT WE
HEARD THROUGHOUT THIS BUDGET
PROCESS BOTH FROM THE COMMUNITY
AND BOTH IN OUR PUBLIC MEETINGS
AND I GUESS THINGS THAT I HAVE
HEARD ON THE STREET.
PROBABLY MOST -- YOU KNOW, THIS
SETS OFF THE BEGINNING OF THE
COUNCIL'S DELIBERATIONS AND WE
WILL REALLY BE GETTING INTO THE
DETAILS OF WHAT'S BEEN OUTLINED
BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 --
MAY 28, I GUESS.
WEDNESDAY IS THE 29th.
AND 30th, THE COUNCIL WILL BE
WORKING TWO FULL DAYS TO TRY TO
COME TOGETHER ON A FINAL BUDGET
AGAIN, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE
THE MANAGER, CERTAINLY THE STAF
AND THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR
INPUT.
AND LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT
DELIBERATIONS AND A LOT OF
DETAILS AND HOPEFULLY COME UP
WITH A BUDGET I KNOW WILL
SATISFY EVERYBODY BUT WILL
SATISFY THIS COUNCIL AS A
MINIMUM.
HAVING SAID THAT -- OK.
YEAH.
WE CAN FINISH THE BUDGET.
WE MADE A SLIGHT CHANGE TO ALLO
THE MANAGER TO PRESENT THE
BUDGET, AND WE'LL MOVE BACK TO
THE GENERAL BUSINESS AGENDA WIT
JUDGMENT 6, WHICH IS WATER
EXTENSION AGREEMENT WITH ERSI
ENTERPRISES, LLC TO
SERVE 2722 EAST GEER STREET
DID YOU HAVE COMMENTS?
>> WE'LL BRIEFLY INTRODUCE THIS
ITEM.
>> ROBERT JOYNER, WITH THE
FELDMAN REVIEW GROUP FOR THE
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
THE ITEM BEFORE YOU WATER
CONTENTION AGREEMENT WITH ERSI
ENTERPRISES LLC 2722 EAST GEER
STREET.
THIS ITEM IS FOR AN EXTENSION
AGREEMENT.
THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY IS
LOCATED ON EAST GEAR STREET.
IT HAS A FAILED WELL DOCUMENTED
FAILED WELL.
AND UNDER THE ORDINANCE, IT HAS
COME FORWARD TO REQUEST AN
EXTENSION OF SERVICE TO THIS
PROPERTY.
FOR THAT PURPOSE.
>> JUST TO POINT OUT, THERE WAS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WAS
PROVIDED BASED ON SOME QUESTION
THAT CAME UP IN THE WORKSESSION
AS TO WHY THE STAFF WAS NOT
PURSUING ANNEXATION AT THIS
POINT.
HOPEFULLY THAT INFORMATION WAS
HELPFUL.
>> THANK YOU.
I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE
COUNCILWOMAN CATOTTI.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I'LL MOVE THE ITEM, BUT I WANTE
TO NOTE AND THANK THE MANAGER
AND PUBLIC WORKS STAFF FOR THE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT I
HAD REQUESTED AT WORKSESSION.
I DO UNDERSTAND MANAGEMENT
CONCERNS ABOUT INEFFICIENCIES,
PARTICULARLY AS A SINGLE LOT,
AND I CAN SUPPORT THIS.
BUT DO BELIEVE, IN THE FUTURE A
I SAID AT WORKSESSION, THAT WE
SHOULD BE GETTING THESE ALONG
WITH ANNEXATION REQUESTS SO WE
CAN SEE THE ANALYSIS AS WE MOVE
FORWARD.
OF COURSE, YOU MENTION YOU
ALREADY DID THAT FOR THIS ONE.
>> CERTAINLY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> MOVED, SECONDED.
MOVED AND SECONDED.
FURTHER DISCUSSION?
HEARING NONE, MADAM CLERK, OPEN
THE VOTE, CLOSE THE VOTE.
>> PASSES 6-0.
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS PUBLIC
HEARING.
10. LIBERTY WAREHOUSES NO. 1 AND
2 (LD1200003) LOCAL HISTORIC
LANDMARK DESIGNATION REMOVAL
>> I RECOGNIZE STEVE MEDLIN.
>> GOOD EVENING, STEVE MEDLIN,
WITH THE DURHAM PLANNING
DEPARTMENT, THIS IS AN
APPLICATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF
THE LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF
LIBERTY WAREHOUSES 1 AND TWO BY
GREEN FIRE DEVELOPMENT.
THE LANDMARK PROPERTY IS LOCATE
AT 611613 RIGSBEE AVENUE.
THE TWO CONJOINS WAREHOUSES WER
BORN IN 1938 AND 1948
RESPECTIVELY.
THESE WERE DESIGNATED IN 2010.
AT THE TIME OF DESIGNATION, THE
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE CITED
THAT LIBERTY WAREHOUSE IS THE
ONLY SURVIVING LOOSE-LEAF
AUCTION HOUSE IN DOWNTOWN WHERE
ONCE A DISTRICT OF AUCTION
HOUSES STOOD.
WHEN THE LIBERTY WAREHOUSE
STOPPED POSTING AUCTIONS IN THE
1980s, IT REPRESENTED A CLOSE OF
SIGNIFICANCE IN DURHAM'S
HISTORY.
AS THE ONLY REMAINING EVIDENCE
IN THIS HISTORY, THE LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE IS SIGNIFICANT BY
ASSOCIATION OF EVENTS THAT HAVE
MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION
TO THE BROAD PATTERNS OF OUR
HISTORY AND EMBODYING THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPE THAT
IS RARE.
DESPITE THE INTERIOR AND
EXTERIOR, THE STRUCTURE REMAINS
WITH INTEGRITY.
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, THE
HISTORIC OFFICE AND THE
COMMISSION HAVE REVIEWED THE
APPLICATION, JUSTIFICATION AND
ARE RECOMMENDING DENIAL OF THE
REQUEST.
I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER QUESTION
YOU MAY HAVE.
THE APPLICANT IS HERE AND IS
PREPARED TO DO A PRESENTATION IN
SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION.
>> THANK YOU, LET ME ASK ARE
THERE QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL BEFORE WE HEAR FROM
THOSE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK?
IF NOT, I'M GOING TO CALL NAMES
OF THE PERSONS THAT HAVE SIGNED
UP TO SPEAK.
LET ME ASK, IS THERE ANYONE
ELSE -- THIS IS A PUBLIC
HEARING.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WANTS
TO SPEAK UP ON THIS ITEM BUT HAS
NOT SIGNED UP WITH THE CLERK'S
OFFICE.
IF YOU DON'T MIND, GO OVER THERE
AND SIGN ONE OF THE CARDS.
ANYONE ELSE?
THE REASON I'M ASKING IS AGAIN,
TO TRY TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH
TIME TO ALLOCATE FOR THIS
DISCUSSION.
>> SO I HAVE ONE, TWO, THREE,
FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT,
NINE, 10, 11, 12, 13, PLUS 14
PERSONS THAT WANT TO SPEAK ON
THIS ITEM.
FOR REZONING MATTERS, IT IS NOT
LIKE GIVING SO MUCH TIME FOR
PERSONS BEFORE OR AGAINST.
I'M GOING TO ALLOCATE THREE
MINUTES EACH TO THE PERSONS THAT
HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
OF COURSE, THE COUNCIL IS FREE
TO ASK FURTHER QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS FROM ANY OF THE PERSONS
THAT SPEAK IN TERMS OF COMMENTS
THAT THE COUNCIL MAY CHOOSE TO
MAKE.
SO IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF YOU
COULD MOVE TO THE RIGHT, TO THE
PODIUM TO THE RIGHT, I HAVE PAUL
SMITH, ROGER PERRY, BRYSON
POWELL, ROBERT CHAPMAN, BILL
CALCOFF ... JOHN MARTIN, PETER
KATZ, ORAL RALLY AND THE YOUNG
LADY MOVING UP.
AGAIN, WE AREN'T YIELDING TIME.
I ASK THAT YOU WOULD BE
CONSIDERATE OF YOUR REMARKS AND
TRY TO MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR BELL, CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M PAUL SMITH, MANAGING PARTNER
OF GREEN FIRE DEVELOPMENT AND
CURRENT OWNERS OF THE LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE.
WE'RE THE APPLICANTS TO REMOVE
THE LOCAL LANDMARK.
THE BUILDING IS UNDER CONTRACT
FOR SALE UNDER EAST-WEST
PARTNERS.
THEY'LL PRESENT THEIR PLANS FOR
THE FUTURE OF THE BUILDING
MOMENTARILY.
FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, I WOULD
LIKE TO SAY WE MAKE THIS REQUES
WITH DISAPPOINTMENT AND AFTER A
EFFORT TO FIND AN ECONOMICALLY
VIABLE USE FOR THE BUILDING.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE WORKY ARE AT
THE FOREFRONT OF THE ADAPTIVE
REUSE.
THE BOLDEN BELL, CREST, THE DO
SPRING 21 C HILL BUILDING.
LIBERTY WAREHOUSE IS ON A
DIFFERENT SCALE.
THE SITE WITH 200 SQUARE FEET
UNDER ROOF.
LAST YEAR, I ENGAGED WITH
COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER AND
SEVERAL POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
PARTNERS TO SEE IF WE COULD SAVE
AT LEAST HALF THE BUILDING FOR
MOST LIKELY A LARGE RETAIL USE.
WE COULDN'T COME CLOSE TO MAKING
THE NUMBERS WORK.
IN ADDITION, THE PRESERVATION
STATE WIDE SIGNIFICANCE TO GIVE
THE POWER TO BLOCK CHANGES
INDEFINITELY.
THE STATE APPLICATION, DUE TO
THE LARGE NUMBER OF TOBACCO
AUCTION WAREHOUSE WITH THE
STANDING THROUGHOUT THE STATE
AND MUCH BETTER CONDITION THAN
LIBERTY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE
METAL ROOF AND SIDING WAS
NEGATIVE.
THIS IS NOT TO DIMINISH THE
IMPORTANCE, BUT I THINK IT IS
CONTEXTUAL AND MOST OF THE
PRESERVATION FOLKS HERE TONIGHT
WOULD AGREE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE
BUILDING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN
ANY ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
THAN THE BUILDING HAS.
I THINK THE EAST WEST PLAN WORK
HARD TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE
HISTORY AND THE REFLECTION OF
THE COMMITMENT TO WORK WITH
PRESERVATION DURHAM OVER THE
WEEKEND.
I WOULD LIKE TO HAND IT OVER TO
THE LAWYER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR BELL,
MAYOR PRO TEM COLE-McFADDEN,
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, I FIRST
APPEARED BEFORE YOU IN 1983 WHE
I BROUGHT TO YOU THE PLANS FOR
WOOD CROFT TO CREATE A NEW
COMMUNITY OF HOUSING AND MIXED
USE IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHICH I
THINK HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME
IN A VERY SUSTAINABLE WAY.
I ALSO NOTE THAT I ENJOYED VERY
MUCH THE FACT THAT COUNCILMAN
CLEMENT WAS THERE FOR THOSE
PROCEEDINGS AND WAS A KEY PART
OF SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS FOR
WOOD CROFT.
AND WE WISH HIM WELL.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE CHANCE
TO BE DEVELOPING A NEW COMMUNITY
IN DURHAM.
AND ONE DOWNTOWN.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS AS
PAUL SAID, THE EXISTING
CONDITIONS AT LIBERTY WAREHOUSE
MAKE IT BOTH FROM THE STANDPOIN
OF WHEN IT WAS BUILT, IN THE
CURRENT CONDITION, A BUILDING
THAT IS NONSALVAGEABLE, IN TERM
OF SIGNIFICANT REDEVELOPMENT FOR
THE COMMUNITY.
THIS SITE HAS BEEN PROPOSED FOR
FULL RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED USE
DEVELOPMENT AND THE WAY THAT
LIBERTY WAREHOUSE IS BUILT, THE
CONDITION IT'S IN, SIMPLY DOES
NOT PROVIDE ABILITY TO SAVE AND
SALVAGE THE BUILDING.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
AND RESERVATION OF THE CULTURE
AND HISTORY OF TOBACCO
AUCTIONEERING BOTH IN DURHAM AND
THROUGHOUT THE STATE IS
SIGNIFICANT, AS A YOUNG BOY, I
OFTEN WENT TO TOBACCO AUCTIONS
IN FAYETTEVILLE WHERE I GREW UP.
WE MET IN A POSITIVE MANNER WITH
PRESERVATION DURHAM AND CAME UP
WITH A LIST OF INITIATIVES AS
YOU SEE LISTED ON THE SCREEN NOW
TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE
HISTORY AND MEMORIALIZE THE
CULTURE AND PAST OF WHAT
OCCURRED AT LIBERTY WAREHOUSE.
WE'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO, BOTH
WITH THE PRESERVATION COMMISSIO
AND THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION TO CONTINUE THOSE
DISCUSSIONS AND ENHANCE THOSE
FURTHER IN REASONABLE MANNERS.
THIS IS A ROUGH SITE PLAN OF THE
PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN OF THE
REDEVELOPMENT, WHICH AS YOU SEE
SHOWS THREE BUILDINGS, A LARGE
BUILDING ON THE LEFT, FACING
FOSTER STREET CORPORATION AND
CENTRAL PARK IS A RESIDENTIAL
AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING,
WRAPPING A PARKING DECK.
THE OTHER TWO BUILDINGS ARE ALSO
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS.
YOU WILL NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF
THE SITE PLAN, A GREEN SPACE
ADJACENT TO CENTRAL PARK, WHICH
WOULD BECOME A NEW POCKET PARK
AND A NEW PORTION OF PUBLIC
SPACE FOR THE CENTRAL PARK, IF
THEY WERE TO BE APPROVED BY THE
CENTRAL PARK COMMISSION.
WE ALSO OPEN THE BUILDING TO
CREATE VISUAL AND PEDESTRIAN
PATHWAYS FROM THE NORTH OR
THROUGH THE SITE TO CREATE OR
REMOVE THE FACT THAT LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE IS A BARRIER AT THIS
POINT.
THESE ARE MORE MASSING STUDIES.
WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS 50,000
OF COMMERCIAL SPACE AS WELL AS
RESIDENTIAL.
THIS IS A ROUGH RENDERING OF TH
PROJECT.
>> FOR THE SALES TAX, REQUESTED
THAT ROGER MAKE A PRESENTATION.
WITH THE ONE EXCEPTION, THE RES
OF THE SPEAKERS, I ASK FOR THE
MAIN AGREEMENT.
>> THANK YOU, ROGER.
>> THANK YOU.
BRYSON POWELL.
ROBERT CHAPMAN.
>> HONORABLE MAYOR, MAYOR PRO
TEM, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL,
MR. MANAGER, MY NAME IS BOB
CHAPMAN, I AM A 48-YEAR RESIDENT
OF DURHAM.
I HAVE BEEN A NEW URBANIST REAL
ESTATE DEVELOPER FOR THE PAST 2
YEARS WITH PROJECTS IN FLORIDA,
ARKANSAS, SEVERAL CITIES IN
NORTH CAROLINA, TWO OR THREE IN
DURHAM INCLUDING TRINITY HEIGHTS
AND SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE
HAVE DONE NEAR FOSTER NEAR THE
SITE OF LIBERTY WAREHOUSE.
I WAS THRILLED YEARS AGO BY WOO
CROFT.
IT WAS A GAME-CHANGING.
I WORKED ROGER WORK IN ALL THESE
YEARS AND ALL THE PROJECTS HE'S
DONE -- I'VE LIKED IT MORE THAN
THE PROJECT BEFORE.
THE FALLS IN RALEIGH.
ACTUALLY METAMONT AND THEN 54
EAST.
IN THIS PROJECT, I THINK HE WIL
CONTINUE HIS PATTERN ON
IMPROVING ON WHAT HE DID BEFORE.
WE'RE FORTUNATE THAT HE'S COME
BACK TO DURHAM.
I NEED TO SAY THAT MY BACKGROUND
IS ALSO INCLUDES RECEIVING THREE
PINE AWARDS FOR HISTORIC
PRESERVATIONS AND SERVING ON TH
BOARD OF PRESERVATION DURHAM FOR
A NUMBER OF YEARS.
I THINK THIS IS A REAL PLUS FOR
US.
I WANT TO ENDORSE IT COMPLETELY.
THANK YOU, ROGER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR BELL,
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
I'M ACTUALLY IN WOOD CROFT.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE REMOVAL
OF THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION OF
LIBERTY WAREHOUSE.
WHEN I WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY
TO START DOWNTOWN DURHAM, INC.
20 YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW, WE
DIDN'T HAVE A RIVER, WE DIDN'T
HAVE HUGH McCALL WRITING CHECKS
TO SAY FIX DOWNTOWN.
WE WEREN'T A STATE CAPITAL WHER
35,000 EMPLOYEES WERE DOWNTOWN.
BUT WHAT WE HAD WAS A LOT OF
COOL BUILDINGS.
WE REALLY DID UNDERTAKE THE
RENAISSANCE OF DOWNTOWN DURHAM
WITH AN EYE ON THE HISTORIC
READAPTIVE USE OF OUR HISTORIC
PROPERTIES OF DOWNTOWN.
I SAY THIS BECAUSE I WANT YOU T
KNOW WE UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF
HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN
DOWNTOWN RENAISSANCE.
IT HAS MY STRONG PERSONAL
SUPPORT HAS OVER THE YEARS, IT
HAS OBVIOUSLY HAD A VERY
POSITIVE IMPACT ON DOWNTOWN.
WE ARE PROUD, WHEN I SAY "WE"
THE COLLECTIVE WE OVER THREE
MILLION SQUARE FEET OF HISTORIC
BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN WE HAVE
RENOVATED OVER THE YEARS.
AN AMAZING NUMBER.
NOT ALL BUILDINGS CAN BE SAVED
OR MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE.
LIBERTY WAREHOUSE IS ONE OF
THOSE BUILDINGS.
IT IS QUESTIONABLE IN QUALITY,
DESIGN AND CHARACTER.
WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF
DEVELOPERS WORKING WITH PAUL AN
OTHERS, EXAMINING COULD IT BE
REDEVELOP
REDEVELOPED, COULD WE SAVE IT?
THE ANSWER KEPT COMING BACK
"NO."
AS A RESULT, TO SAVE THE
WAREHOUSE IN ANY PART WOULD
REQUIRE MASSIVE SIGNIFICANT
FUNDS OF PUBLIC DOLLARS AND
ONGOING PUBLIC SUPPORT.
IN ADDITION THE PROCESS FOR THE
HISTORIC COMMISSION AS YOU KNOW
HAS BEEN CALLED INTO QUESTION BY
ME AND MANY OTHERS INCLUDING
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND
UNDERGOING REVIEW AS WE SPEAK.
ANY DELAYS THAT THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COULD IMPOSE UPON
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS
PROPERTY, WITH THE FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS AND DISCOURAGE
ANYONE FROM MOVING FORWARD.
WITH EAST WEST WE BRING A
REPUTABLE BUILDINGER.
IN THE LETTER DATED TO WENDY
HILLIS WITH COPIES TO YOU, HE
OUTLINED THE HISTORIC ELEMENTS
HE WILL KEEP WITH THE BUILDING.
IT IS AN INVESTMENT OF
$50 MILLION IN OUR DOWNTOWN.
IT IS A SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF
OUR TAX BASE AND TAX REVENUES.
IT WILL CREATE A NUMBER OF JOBS.
VERY IMPORTANTLY, THE PROPOSED
PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
GOALS AND VISION OF THE DOWNTOW
MASTER PLAN AND THE DURHAM
CENTRAL PARK PLAN WHICH I'M
PROUD TO SAY I WAS ONE OF THE
IMAGINATORS OF.
TELL HAVE A MAJOR CATALYTIC
EFFECT IN CENTRAL DOWNTOWN.
IT WILL HELP WITH THE DURHAM
CENTRAL PARK DISTRICT.
IT COMPLEMENTS THE PRIVATE
INVESTMENTS MADE BY FOLKS LIKE
MEASUREMENT INCORPORATED [BEEP]
DURHAM COHOUSING YMCA, BOB AND
OTHERS.
THEREFORE, I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT
THE REMOVAL OF THE DESIGNATION.
THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS JOSH PORTER --
PARKER.
>> GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR.
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
GOOD TO SEE YOU, BE HERE, MY
NAME IS JOSH PARKER, 3121
CORNWALL ROAD, I'M PRESIDENT OF
THE BOARD AT PRESERVATION DURHAM
A PRIVATE NONPROFIT HERE IN
DURHAM SUPPORTING PRESERVATION
EFFORTS ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.
I WANT TO FIRST THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME AND DELIBERATION
REGARDING THE FUTURE OF LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE, IT HAS BEEN A
PLEASURE TO SPEAK WITH MANY OF
YOU ON THIS ISSUE.
PRESERVATION DURHAM IS
PARTICULARLY CONCERNED WITH
PROTECTING DURHAM'S HISTORIC
ASSETS.
DURHAM HAS A RICH CULTURAL AND
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY AND VERY
UNIQUENESS THAT IS EXPRESSED BY
BUILDINGS AND SENSE OF PLACE
THAT INSTILL IN RESIDENTS ALIKE
OPINION DELISTING IS NOT THE
FIRST CHOICE, BUT WE FACE THE
REALITIES OUR COMMUNITY FACES
WITH BALANCING THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION AND DOWNTOWN.
THE WEST VILLAGE AND DOWNTOWN
TOBACCO MAKE CLEAR THE
THOUGHTFUL ECONOMIC STRATEGY AN
HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
LIBERTY WAREHOUSE HAS NO LESS
IMPORTANCE THAN LUCKY STRIKE OR
HILL TOWER, IT IS A MORE
COMPLICATED BUILDING TO
REDEVELOPMENT.
LANDMARK STATUS IS INTENDED TO
PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR HISTORIC
BUILDINGS AND ECONOMIC INCENTIVE
TO THE PRIVATE SECONDER FOR THE
REAL DEVELOPMENT.
IT IS LESS CLEAR WHERE IT HAS
DEFEARIORATED PAST THE POINT OF
SALVAGE ECONOMICALLY.
THESE ARE SCARY SITUATIONS FOR
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS WE
ENCOUNTER THEM.
GIVEN THAT IT MERITS LANDMARK
STATUS, BUT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE,
WE ARE MOTIVATED TO WORK ON WAY
TO ACCOMPLISH AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE WHILE PREVENTING THE
BUILDING FROM GETTING WORSE OR
DISAPPEARING ALTOGETHER.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT
THAT THIS IS A UNIQUE SITUATION
AND NOT INDICATIVE OF HOW ALL
PRESERVATION SITUATIONS SHOULD
BE HANDED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
PD HAS WORKED WITH THE
DEVELOPMENTER AND OWNER ON AN
AGREEMENT TO GIVE US THE BEST
CHANCE FOR PARTIAL PRESERVATION
AND FULL DOCUMENTATION OF THE
IMPORTANT BUILDING.
AGAIN, GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES,
WE FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE BEST
WAY TO MOVE FORWARD.
AS HAS BEEN NOTED, ROGER PERRY
IS ONE OF THE FINEST
PRACTITIONERS OF HIS CRAFT.
WE'RE CONFIDENT HE WILL HONOR
OUR AGREEMENT AND BE A PARTNER
MOVING FORWARD.
WE'RE SUPPORTIVE OF THE REQUEST
TO DELIST THE PROPERTY AS A
LOCAL LANDMARK.
THIS IS A REASONABLE COMPROMISE
TO PREEVENT LOSING THE BUILDING
ALTOGETHER.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE WENDY
HILL TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION
ON OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE
DEVELOPER.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP I
SUPPORT OF PRESERVATION DURHAM,
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION AND PRESERVATION
ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> NEXT IS WENDY HILLIS.
MAYOR BELL, MY NAME IS WENDY
HILLIS.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
PRESERVATION DURHAM.
THE FUTURE OF LIBERTY WAREHOUSE
IS KEY TO OUR MISSION AS IT IS
ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING
TANGIBLE CONNECTIONS WE HAVE TO
THE ERA OF TOBACCO AUCTIONS.
A TRADE THAT GREATLY INFLUENCED
DURHAM'S ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN TH
EARLY 20th INDUSTRY.
AND BROUGHT WITH IT A DISTINCT
CULTURE AND ATMOSPHERE.
I AM PLEASED TO SHARE, AS MANY
OTHERS HAVE ALREADY SHARED, THAT
WE HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT
WITH GREEN FIRE AND EAST WEST
PARTNERS REGARDING FUTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE.
A LOTTER OUTLINING THIS
AGREEMENT WAS FORWARDED TO YOU
VIA E-MAIL LAST THURSDAY.
IN THE AGREEMENT, EAST WEST
PARTNERS HAS AGREED TO:
INTEGRATE THE EXISTING SOUTHERN
BRICK WALL OF THE LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE INTO THE REDEVELOPMEN
PLANS.
INCORPORATE THE NORTHEASTERN
BRICK FACADE AND LIBERTY SIGNS
INTO THE REDEVELOPMENT PLANS.
REUSE EXISTING OLD WOOD
MATERIALS FROM THE WAREHOUSE
WITHIN THE REDEVELOPMENT AND
RECYCLE THOSE THAT ARE NOT
REUSED ON-SITE.
MEMORIALIZE AND DOCUMENT THE
LIBERTY WAREHOUSE BUILDING AND
THE TO BACK'S AUCTION BUSINESS
IN DURHAM.
USE ARCHITECTURAL FORMS AND
MATERIALS THAT CONTEXTUALLY
RELATE TO THE SURROUNDING AREA.
PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY, EAST
WEST PARTNERS HAS AGREED TO A
CONTINUED DIALOGUE WITH
PRESERVATION DURHAM AROUND THE
DEVELOPMENT OF LIBERTY WAREHOUSE
THAT WAS INCLUDE REGULAR
COMMUNICATION AN MEETINGS AS TH
PROJECT PROCEEDS TOWARDS
CONSTRUCTION.
SHOULD A SKENES ARISE WHERE EAS
WEST PARTNERS IS NOT INVOLVED IN
THE REDEVELOPMENT OF LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE, GREEN FIRE
DEVELOPMENT IS COMMITTED TO THE
SAME CRITERIA I JUST OUTLINED.
PRESERVATION DURHAM REMAINS
COMMITTED TO THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND
THEIR INCREDIBLY VALUABLE
VOLUNTEER WORK TO SAFEGUARD THE
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY
OF DURHAM.
THE LIST -- LIFTING OF LOCAL
LANDMARK STATUS IS NOT OUR FIRST
CHOICE OF ACTION AND WE MAINTAIN
THE BUILDING CONTINUES TO MEET
THE CRITERIA FOR LOCAL LANDMARK
STATUS.
GIVEN REAL CONSTRAINTS WE FEEL
THAT DIRECT NEGOTIATION WITH TH
OWNER AND DEVELOPER HAS
ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN REACHING
AN IMPORTANT OBJECTIVE.
RETENTION OF AS MUCH OF LIBERTY
AS POSSIBLE.
I AM SATISFIED THAT PRESERVATIO
DURHAM HAS DONE EVERYTHING WE
CAN TO ENSURE THE LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE WILL CONTINUE TO SERV
AS A LINK TO DURHAM'S STORED AN
CULTURAL PAST AND WE WILL
CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE
PRESENT AND FUTURE OWNERS OF TH
PROPERTY TO ENSURE OUR AGREEMENT
IS HONORED.
AT THIS JUNCTURE WE SUPPORT THE
DEVELOPER'S REQUEST TO DELIST
THE STRUCTURE AND THANK THEM FOR
DELIBERATIONS.
>> LARRY TILLY.
>> MAYOR BELL, MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL, I'M LARRY TILLY,
BUSINESS OWNER AND PROPERTY
OWNER AT 636 FOSTER STREET, DOW
THE STREET FROM LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE, I ALSO LIVE AT
TENNESSEE WEST MARKHAM.
I'M HERE IN FAVOR OF DELISTING
THE PROPERTY.
I DON'T HAVE A PREPARED SPEECH,
I'M JUST HERE TO SUPPORT THIS
DEVELOPMENT.
>> BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT IS THE
ONLY WAY THIS THING WILL GET
GOING.
I REALLY WANT TO APPLAUD THE
FOLKS AND CONGRATULATE THE FOLK
THAT WORKED THIS DEAL OUT
INSTEAD OF A BIG CONTENTIOUS
MEETING TONIGHT.
I'M IN FAVOR OF DELISTING.
THANKS.
>> HEATHER WAGNER.
>> HELLO.
I'M HEATHER WAGNER, 209 WEST
TRINITY.
I'M ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION.
ON FEBRUARY 5 OF THIS YEAR, THE
COMMISSION REVIEWED THE REQUEST
FOR THE REMOVAL OF DESIGNATION
ALONG WITH CURRENT PHOTOS OF TH
STRUCTURE AND THE ORIGINAL
LANDMARK DESIGNATION REPORT.
IN WEIGHING THE EVIDENCE THE
COMMISSION FOUND THAT THE
PROPERTY STILL MET THE CRITERIA
FOR LANDMARK DESIGNATION AS
OUTLINED IN SECTION 3.17 OF THE
UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE
AND THUS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO
RECOMMEND TO YOU ALL THE DENIAL
OF THE REQUEST.
THE REPORT PREPARED BY THE
APPLICANT OUTLINED THE DAMAGE TO
THE ROOF AND STRUCTURAL SUPPORT
AS THE REASON FOR THE REQUEST,
NOTING THAT SECTIONS OF THE ROOF
AND INTERIOR STRUCTURAL SUPPORT
ARE IN NEED OF FULL REPLACEMENT.
IT FURTHER ASSERTS THAT THE
REPLACEMENTS WOULD DEFECT THE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION TO NO
LONGER MEET THE LANDMARK
CRITERIA.
THE MATERIALS SUBMITTED IN 2009
WHICH CALL OUT THE
CHARACTERIZATIONS OF THE
BUILDING AS JUSTIFICATION FOR
THE ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
MAKE NO SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ROO
AND STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS.
RATHER THE REPORT INDICATES
WHILE EXPANSIVE ROOF WITH
SKYLIGHTS WERE TYPICAL IN
TOBACCO WAREHOUSES THE ORIGINAL
SKYLIGHTS HAD BEEN REMOVED AND
COVERED WITH A NEW ROOF, IN THE
1980s A CHANGE THAT WAS NOT
DEEMED BY THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION OR THE
BODY TO HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED
THE BUILDING.
THE SITE THE CULTURAL IMPORTANCE
OF THE BUILDING AS DURHAM'S LAS
REMAINING AUCTION HOUSE.
DURHAM HAS BEEN CAREFUL TO
PRESERVE THE TOBACCO HERITAGE
INCLUDING FARMS, STORAGE AND
MANUFACTURING FACILITIES.
THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE NOT
ONLY COMPATIBLE BUT A TRUE
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS.
THE WAREHOUSES 1 AND 2 ARE
SIGNIFICANT OF THE ONLY
REMAINING EVIDENCE THE TOBACCO
AUCTIONS IN DURHAM.
WE REALIZE THE DEMOLITION OF TH
STRUCTURE MAY BE ENEVITABLE.
BY LAW, THAT WOULD BE ALLOWED
REGARDLESS OF THE LANDMARK
DESIGNATION.
TO REMOVE THE DESIGNATION WHEN
THE BUILDING STILL MEETS THE
DESIGNATION CRITERIA SERVES ONL
TO UNDERMINE THE LANDMARK
PROGRAM AS A WHOLE.
THUS, AS THE PRESERVATION
COMMISSION CONTINUES TO STRIVE
FOR CONTINUITY IN THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOCAL
LANDMARK PROGRAM WE URGE THE
CITY COUNCIL TO DEMONSTRATE THE
SAME LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY.
WE ASK YOU TO DENY THIS REQUEST
BASED SOLELY ON THE EVIDENCE
REGARDING THE CULTURAL AND
ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF
THE PROPERTY PROVIDED IN THE
APPLICATION AS YOU WOULD FOR ANY
LANDMARK DESIGNATION AND DO SO
INDEPENDENT OF POTENTIAL
REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE
SITE.
THANK YOU.
>> JOHN MARTIN.
>> GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS JOH
MARTIN.
I LIVE AT 401 EAST TRINITY
AVENUE.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO ASK YOU TO
SLOW DOWN FOR A MOMENT.
I THINK I SPOKE ONE TIME BEFORE
THE COUNCIL AND ASKED YOU TO
SLOW DOWN AUSTIN AVENUE.
THAT DIDN'T WORK.
I WOULD LIKE TO DO IT AGAIN
TONIGHT.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THAT IN A DEMOCRACY, THE PROCES
BY WHICH YOU MAKE DECISIONS IS
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
SO I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT
THE MERITS OF THE LIBERTY
WAREHOUSE, THE PROBLEMS OF
REDEVELOPMENT.
I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT
THE PROCESS.
LET'S LET THE PROCESS HERE WORK.
I'M HARDENED BY THE FACT THAT
MR. PERRY AND PRESERVATION
DURHAM HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH
EACH OTHER, I THINK THEY HAVE
THE BEST OF INTENTIONS OF DOING
THAT.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT THESE ARE
PEOPLE MEETING OUT OF PUBLIC
VIEW.
CAN WE HAVE A SITUATION IN WHICH
THESE PEOPLE WILL TALK PUBLICLY
IN WHICH THE REST OF THE PUBLIC
GETS CHANCE TO OFFER COMMENTS O
IT?
AND WE HAVE A PROCEDURE FOR
DOING THAT.
MR. PERRY SAID HE'S WILLING TO
WORK WITH THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION, SUBMIT
YOUR PLANS TO THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND SEE
WHAT THEY DO.
IF THEY COME UP WITH A VERDICT
THAT YOU DON'T LIKE, YOU CAN
ALWAYS COME BACK TO THE COUNCIL
AND THEN THE COUNCIL CAN VOTE T
DO WHAT YOU'RE BEING ASKED TO D
TONIGHT.
BUT THAT IS RESPECTFUL OF THE
PROCESS.
TO SIMPLY SAY TONIGHT, WELL, WE
WANT TO HAVE THIS GO FORWARD AND
WE DON'T CARE ABOUT WHETHER OR
NOT IT'S GONE THROUGH THE NORMAL
KINDS OF CHANNELS, I THINK IS T
DENY THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF
CITIZEN INPUT.
I KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN
HEARING.
YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING TALK OF I
THIS ISN'T DONE TONIGHT HE WILL
GO BACK TO CHAPEL HILL, THIS
WON'T HAPPEN, AND PRESUMABLY
DOWNTOWN DURHAM WILL CRASH AND
BURN.
YOU KNOW THAT IS NOT THE CASE.
10 YEARS AGO, YOU COULD MAKE
THIS ARGUMENT.
THIS PROPERTY WILL EVENTUALLY
GET REDEVELOPED.
I HOPE IT WILL BE REDEVELOPED
VERY WELL.
AND SO IF YOU DON'T TAKE AWAY
LANDMARK STATUS TONIGHT, THE SKY
WILL NOT FALL, DOWNTOWN DURHAM
WILL CONTINUE TO 35 AND THIS
WILL ULTIMATELY HAPPEN.
BUT IT WILL HAPPEN IN A WAY IN
WHICH THERE IS GREATER OPENNESS
IN THIS PROCESS.
SO WOULD URGE THAT YOU ALLOW TH
PROCESS TO OPERATE.
THANK YOU.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME.
PETER KATZ.
>> GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS
I LIVE IN OLD NORTH DURHAM.
MY CONCERN WAS MAINLY WITH WHAT
WOULD REPLACE LIBERTY WAREHOUSE
AND HOW IT WILL IMPACT OUR AREA
BASED ON WHAT IS WIDELY
CONSIDERED TO BE A VERY POOR
JUSTIFICATION FOR DELISTING THE
LIBERTY WAREHOUSE, SPECIFICALLY
ON ITS MERITS, ON ITS HISTORIC
MERIT AND ALSO WHAT IS I BELIEV
WIDELY AN INACCURATELY HELD
PERCEPTION THAT THE PUSH TO
DELIST THE PROPERTY IS BASED ON
FACILITATING AND EXPEDITING THE
REDEVELOPMENT OF THE BUILDING, I
WOULD ARGUE THAT OUR FOCUS
SHOULD BE ON ENSURING THAT THE
REDEVELOPMENT OCCURS IN A WAY TO
BEST COMPLEMENT ITS SURROUNDING
AND SPEAKS TO OUR CITY'S VALUES.
UM, I CRITICIZED EARLY DESIGNS
OF THE BUILDING AS BEING
LITERALLY CUT AND PASTE OUT OF
THE STREETS OF SOUTH POINT.
I THINK THE DESIGNS ARE
DEFINITELY GETTING BETTER.
AND I APPRECIATE THE ROLE
PRESERVATION DURHAM HAS TAKEN.
I APPRECIATE THE DEVELOPER
WORKING WITH PRESERVATION DURHAM
TO TRY AND DO A REALLY GOOD
PROJECT THERE, BUT I THINK IT
STILL NEEDS WORK.
SPECIFICALLY, BEFORE YOU VOTE,
WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT
THE MR. PERRY RETAIL STRATEGY.
CAN WE EXPECT 50,000 SQUARE FEET
OF CHAIN STORES IN THIS LOCATION
ACROSS FROM CENTRAL PARK OR DO
YOU INTEND TO SUPPORT LOCAL
BUSINESSES?
AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO HEAR MORE
ABOUT YOUR RESIDENTIAL RENTAL
POLICY, AND I'D LIKE TO HEAR WHO
WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE
IN IT.
THANK YOU.
>> OVAL RILEY.
>> MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY
NAME IS BO O'REILLY.
I LIVE AT WEST MARKHAM AVENUE
HERE IN DURHAM.
I'M HERE WITH CASSANDRA GUIDING
SHE AND I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF
LIBERTY ARTS, WHICH IS A
NONPROFIT ARTIST COLLECTIVE HER
IN DURHAM.
I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE ARTS
WITH THE HOPE THAT THE ARTS WILL
BE REPRESENTED IN THE PLANS
HERE.
AS SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW, LIBERT
ARTS MAINTAINS THE PAVILION, THE
SEMICIRCULAR STRUCTURE ON THE
SOUTHERN END OF THE STRUCTURE,
THAT IS WHERE OUR FOUNDRY IS, W
HAVE METAL POURS, WE HAVE A REAL
STEAK IN WHAT HAPPENS HERE.
WE OF COURSE WERE TENANTS
PREVIOUSLY IN THE SOUTHERN END,
THE INTERIOR -- OH, OK.
IN THE INTERIOR OF THAT
BUILDING.
WE HAD STUDIO SPACE UNTIL THE
ROOF COLLAPSED, WE HAD TO VACATE
ALONG WITH MANY OTHER ARTISTS
WHO HAD AFFORDABLE -- WHAT WE
MIGHT CALL AFFORDABLE STUDIO
SPACE THERE.
FORTUNATELY, MOST OF US
RELOCATED, IN OUR CASE OVER TO
GOLDEN BELT, BUT WE STILL
MAINTAIN THE FOUNDRY THERE.
AND WE'RE VERY INTERESTED, YOU
KNOW, IN THE FUTURE MAINTAINING
A PRESENCE THERE.
WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL
PARTICIPATE AND BE INVOLVED IN
THE ARTS.
SO NOT SO MUCH HERE TO BE PRO OR
CONAS FAR AS THE LANDMARK
DESIGNATION, EVEN THOUGH WE VER
MUCH WANT TO HONOR THE TOBACCO
HISTORY OF THE AREA, I THINK WE
APPLAUD THE PROGRESS THAT YOU
ALL HAVE MADE, ROGER, YOU KNOW,
WITH PRESERVATION DURHAM.
SO I THINK THAT THAT IS
PROBABLY.
.
WE HOPE, IF POSSIBLE, TO MEET
WITH YOU ALSO AND JUST SORT OF
VOICE OUR HOPES, REALLY, FOR
WHAT MAY COME, YOU KNOW, IN
THESE PLANS, IN THE FUTURE.
BUT AGAIN, WE ARE AN ARTIST
COLLECTIVE, PRIMARILY METAL
ARTISTS, SOME GLASS, CLAY, AND
SOME WOOD WORKING, WE HOPE THERE
WILL BE AN ARTISTS' PRESENCE IN
THE NEW PLANS.
>> DEBBIE PRATT; IS THAT
CORRECT?
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR BELL AND
THE DURHAM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M DEBBIE PRATT.
I WAS ALSO A FORMER TENANT OF
LIBERTY WAREHOUSE.
MY HUSBAND, VERNON PRATT
[INDISCERNIBLE] AND HE HAD AN
OFFICE SPACE JUST -- JUST AN
AWESOME SPACE HE BUILT WITH HIS
OWN HANDS.
UM ... SHOO -- I HAVE
ACTUALLY -- IT'S BEEN OVER TWO
YEARS SINCE THE ROOF COLLAPSED
AT LIBERTY WAREHOUSE.
I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS TO ASK THE
DURHAM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
OK.
AFTER YOU FOUND GREEN FIRE
PROPERTIES RESPONSIBLE OF THE
DELEGATION OF NEGLIGENT AND GAV
THEM AN OCTOBER 2013 DED LINE T
COMPLY WITH THE NECESSARY
REPAIRS TO LIBERTY WAREHOUSE,
DID YOU START FINING GREEN FIRE
PROPERTIES UP TO $500 DAILY.
IF IN FACT YOU DID NOT FINE
GREEN FIRE PROPERTIES AND NO
PENALTIES WAS ISSUED, I WANT TO
KNOW WHY NOT.
>> IF YOU DON'T MIND, YOU CAN
CONTINUE YOUR PRESENTATION.
>> THANK YOU.
I'VE GOT THOSE TWO QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU.
>> PHILIP AZAR.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR BELL, MAYOR
PRO TEM, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
OBVIOUSLY, TONIGHT A VERY -- 917
MONMOUTH AVENUE.
OBVIOUSLY TONIGHT A DIFFICULT
AND IMPORTANT VOTE IN TERMS OF
THE DIRECTION DURHAM IS GOING.
HISTORIC TAX CREDITS AND
INCENTIVES HAVE BEEN IMPORTANT
TO DURHAM FOR A LONG TIME AND
HAVE DONE A LOT OF GOOD.
IT SEEMS TO ME TONIGHT THAT IF
THE DECISION IS MADE TO DELIST
THE LIBERTY WAREHOUSE, IT'S NOT
REALLY BASED ON THE MERITS AND
WHAT THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION HAS STUDIED AND SAID
AND THE CRITERIA THAT ARE SET
OUT.
IT'S BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER
URGENCIES, IT IS SIMPLY
INFEASIBLE AND CITY COUNCIL HAS
MADE THAT DETERMINATION.
SO IT WOULD BE MY HOPE THAT THAT
IS THE ROUTE THAT YOU GO, THAT
IT IS DONE IN A WAY WHERE THE
WORK THAT THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION HAS DON
CAN BE HONORED AND CONTINUE TO
GO ON.
IT MAY JUST BE ONE OF THOSE
TIMES WHEN CITY COUNCIL AND THE
COMMISSION THAT IT HAS CREATED,
IT HAS POPULATED NEED TO COME T
DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS.
THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.
I MEAN, IF THE DECISION WAS MAD
TO ORIGINALLY LIST IT, IT WAS
MADE IN GOOD FAITH.
IF IT NEEDS TO BE DELISTED IN
GOOD FAITH, LET IT BE DELISTED
IN GOOD FAITH.
BUT IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE DONE
UNDER AN IDEA THAT THE
COMMISSION HAS DONE AND THE
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS HAVE DONE
ANYTHING BUT SERVED IN THE WAY
THEY SHOULD IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE CRITERIAION, STATUTES AND
ORDINANCES.
IT IS NOT JUST BY THE
COMMISSIONS WORKED IN THE TAX
CREDITS BUT ALL THE LOCAL AND
NATURAL HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN
TOWN, IT HELPED A LOT OF WAYS.
IF THIS IS ONE INSTANCE THAT
THERE IS A PARTING OF THE WAYS,
LET THERE BE A PARTING OF THE
WAYS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> LET ME ASK IF ANYONE ELSE
WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM, THIS
BEING A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM?
ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK THAT
HAS NOT SPOKEN?
LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT NO
ONE ELSE ASKED TO SPEAK ON THIS
ITEM.
I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC
HEARING.
AND I GUESS I DO HAVE A FEW
REMARKS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO
MAKE, I'M SURE MEMBERS OF MY
COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL
PROBABLY HAVE COMMENTS THEY WANT
TO MAKE ALSO.
FIRST OF ALL, THE ONLY REASON
THAT WE'RE HERE TONIGHT
DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE IS BECAUSE
ALMOST TWO, THREE YEARS AGO,
ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO, THE CITY
COUNCIL BY VOTE OF 4-3 DECIDED
TO DESIGNATE THIS AS A HISTORIC
LANDMARK PROPERTY.
I WAS ONE OF THE FOUR THAT VOTE
FOR IT.
AND I CAN TELL YOU, MY RATIONAL
FOR VOTING FOR THAT DESIGNATION
AT THIS TIME PRECEDED A LOT OF
OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPENED.
WHEN I FIRST BECAME MAYOR EARLY
ON, I HAD MIKE LAMANSKI AND SOM
OF THE INVESTORS, I THINK THE
GENTLEMAN WAS FROM IRELAND TO
COME TO MY OFFICE AND TALK ABOU
WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN DURHAM AN
TALK ABOUT THE VISIONS I HAD AS
THE MAYOR OF DURHAM,
PARTICULARLY AS IT PERTAINED TO
DOWNTOWN.
AFTER HAVING TOLD THEM AT LEAST
WHAT I THOUGHT WERE
POSSIBILITIES IN DURHAM, ONE OF
THE THINGS I SAID TO THEM IS I
DON'T THINK YOU WILL GO WRONG BY
INVESTING IN DOUWNTOWN DURHAM.
I DON'T REMEMBER IF THEY
REMEMBER IT, BUT I REMEMBER IT.
I REALLY MEANT THAT WHEN I SAID
IT.
IN MY OPINION, GREEN FIRE WAS
TAKING ON A RESPONSIBILITY NO
ONE ELSE HAD TAKEN ON IN TERMS
OF THE PROPERTIES.
THEY HAD A VISION ALSO.
THE VISION INVOLVED IN HOW THEY
WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROPERS
THEY WERE ABOUT TO PURCHASE TO
BE DEVELOPED.
I WAS SUPPORTIVE OF THAT EFFORT
AND STILL AM.
AS WE ALL KNOW, ECONOMICS
CHANGE.
THEY WERE NOT THE ONLY ONES HURT
BY THE DOWNTOWN AND THE ECONOMY.
THINGS DIDN'T GO EXACTLY AS THEY
HAD PLANNED BUT I DON'T THINK IT
IS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT IT.
I THINK BECAUSE TO A CERTAIN
EXTENT, IT WAS BEYOND THEIR
CONTROL.
WHEN I VOTED TO DESIGNATE THIS
ITEM, I VOTED WITH THE
UNDERSTANDING THAT FIRST, IT ME
THE CRITERIA, WHICH WE ALL
HEARD, BUT THE REAL RATIONALE
BEHIND ME IS BECAUSE I WANTED T
SEE SOMETHING DONE WITH THE
PROPERTY.
IF BY DESIGNATED IT AS A
LANDMARK OPPORTUNITY, IT WOULD
AFFORD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE
PROPERTY TO DEVELOP.
I WAS SUPPORTIVE OF IT.
WE HAVE WAITED ALMOST THREE
YEARS AND WE HAVE SEEN WHAT HAS
HAPPENED TO THE PROPERTY.
WE HAVE HAD PERSONS THAT HAVE
BEEN RESIDENTS OF THE PROPERTY
TALK ABOUT THE ROOF FAILURES.
THE YOUNG LADY ASKED WHY WEREN'
WE FINING THEM $500 A DAY.
THAT ISN'T AN ISSUE FOR ME.
THE ISSUE FOR ME IS THE INTENT
BEHIND ME VOTE TO DESIGNATE THA
PROPERTY.
IT WAS TO SET GOING DONE ON THE
PROPERTY IN A POSITIVE WAY.
IT HASN'T HAPPENED, WE NOW HAVE
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THA
HAPPEN.
IT IS NOT THE FACT THAT -- THE
REASON I ASKED ROGER TO MAKE HI
PRESENTATION, I HAD SAT DOWN
WITH ROGER, AND I'M SURE OTHER
MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAD DON
TO SEE WHAT HE WAS PROPOSING FO
THAT PROPERTY.
HE COMES WITH A BACKGROUND OF
HAVING DONE THINGS IN A QUALITY
WAY.
THAT IS WHAT WE WANT IN
DOWNTOWN.
NOT LIKE WE HAVE SOMEBODY, JUST
AN UNKNOWN THAT HAS NOT
DEVELOPED THIS COMMUNITY OR A
BACKGROUND OF DEVELOPING
PRODUCTS.
HE HAS THAT.
SO I AM IN SUPPORT OF DELISTING
THE PROPERTY.
JUST AS I WAS IN SUPPORT OF
LISTING THE PROPERTY BECAUSE I
WANTED TO GET SOMETHING DONE ON
THAT SITE.
NOW, WHETHER OR NOT IT HAPPENS,
WE DON'T KNOW.
I THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN
WE DID WHAT WE DID, BUT IT
DIDN'T.
I'M HOPEFUL IF THE COUNCIL
DELISTS THE PROPERTY WE WILL BE
ABLE TO MOVE POSITIVELY ON THE
PROPERTY, NOT ONLY FOR THE GOOD
OF THE PROPERTY ITSELF BUT FOR
THE COMMUNITY.
YOU HEARD THE MANAGER GIVE HIS
BUDGET REPORT.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING
TO DO IS CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AN
EXPAND THE TAX BASE IN THIS
COMMUNITY IN A POSITIVE WAY WIT
QUALITY PICKUP TRUCRODUCTS SO W
THINGS FORWARD AS PEOPLE ASK US
TO DO.
MY RATIONALE SAID IS WHAT I SAI
AND MY PURPOSE NOW IS TO
GUETAPENSING THAT QUALITY
PRODUCT MOVING.
I WILL RECOGNIZE MAYOR PRO TEM,
COUNCILMAN BROWN, CATOTTI,
MOFFAT AND IN THAT ORDER.
>> YEAH, I'M WILLING TO VOTE FO
IT.
EXCUSE MY COMMUNICATION
CHALLENGE.
PHILIP, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SUR
THAT YOU UNDERSTAND WE VALUE TH
WORK OF THE COMMISSION.
JUST AS WE VALUE OTHER
COMMITTEES IN THE PLANNING
COMMISSION.
WE DON'T ALWAYS GO THE WAY YOU
WANT US TO GO BECAUSE OF CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT WE DO VALUE
YOUR WORK.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO THINK THAT
WE'RE GOING IN A DIFFERENT
DIRECTION.
UM, IF WE DON'T DO WHAT YOU
ASKED US TONIGHT [INDISCERNIBLE
THANK YOU.
>> COUNCILMAN BROWN.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
THREE YEARS AGO, IT WAS A RATHER
CLOSE VOTE 4-3, THE MAYOR AND I
WERE ON THE SAME SIDE.
AND I VOTED FOR THIS PARTLY,
TOO, BECAUSE OF MY PRESERVATION
BACKGROUND, BUT -- AND INTEREST
AND CONCERN.
BUT I THOUGHT SOMETHING GOOD
WOULD COME OF IT.
SO HERE WE ARE, THREE YEARS
LATER, AND CERTAINLY THE VISION
THAT I HAD AS A PRESERVATIONIST
AND AS ONE WHO FAVORS
DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN DURHAM,
INCLUDING CENTRAL PARK, THAT
VISION HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED.
AND AFTER 10 YEARS, HERE,
REPRESENTING THE CITIZENS OF
DURHAM, THANK GOODNESS THERE AR
A FEW VOTES I WISH I COULD TAKE
BACK, BUT I'M VERY PLEASED
TONIGHT THAT I WILL BE TAKING
BACK MY VOTE AND SUPPORTING AT
LEAST THE MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM
IN DELISTING THIS PROPERTY.
SECONDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK
PAUL SMITH FROM GREEN FIRE AND
ROGER PERRY FROM EAST WEST
PARTNERS, JOSH PARKER AND WENDY
HILLIS FOR DOING WHAT YOU DID.
THAT IS TO SAY, GETTING TOGETHE
AND REACHING WHAT I THINK IS A
MEANINGFUL COMPROMISE.
IN FACT, I THINK I CAN SPEAK FO
MY COLLEAGUES WHEN I SUGGEST
THAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE OTHER
PEOPLE DO THIS AS WELL.
SO THANKS AGAIN AND THIRDLY, FO
THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
HOW THE BUILDING WILL EVENTUALLY
LOOK, HOW IT WILL FIT INTO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT KIND OF -- S
ON, I AM RIMINDED OF WHAT
CHURCHILL SAID, TO PARAPHRASE
HIM, THIS IS NOT THE END, BUT IT
IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
AND BY THAT, I MEAN, YOU WILL
HAVE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES NOT
THE LEAST OF WHICH WILL BE WITH
THE SITE PLAN REVIEW AND OTHERS
AS WELL TO REVIEWS THE PROGRESS
THAT IS TAKING PLACE NOW.
SO I DON'T VIEW THIS AS A
DIFFICULT DECISION AT ALL.
TO ME, IT IS AN EASY DECISION,
I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT AND I'M
EXCITED, TOO, THAT ROGER PERRY
IS HERE AND WHAT I HAVE SEEN SO
FAR FROM HIS PLAN, NOT TOTALLY
SCRUTINIZED, OF COURSE, BUT
BELIEVE ME, FOLKS IT WILL BE A
HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN WHAT
WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST THREE
YEARS.
THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
>> RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN MOFFAT,
FOLLOWED BY COUNCILWOMAN
CATOTTI.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
I WOULD LIKE TO START BY
THANKING EVERYONE WHO HAS
TESTIFIED TONIGHT, WHO HAS TAKE
THE TIME TO SHARE WEATHER
CONCERNS IN PERSON OR BY E-MAIL
WE'RE A PASSIONATE COMMUNE, THE
VIEWS SHARED WITH ME HAVE RUN
THE GAMUT FROM PROTECT TO RAZE
IT.
NOT A LOT OF IN BETWEEN.
IT IS CLEAR THAT PEOPLE OF
DURHAM LOVE LIBERTY WAREHOUSE, A
LOT OF PEOPLE DO, THE INTERIOR
OR THE HISTORY IT REPRESENTS.
GARY KEEFER ROTE A THOUGHTFUL
AND DETAILED ESSAY ABOUT THE
BUILDING, ITS HISTORY, THE PLAC
OF TOBACCO IN DURHAM'S PAST AND
WHAT HE BELIEVES SHOULD HAPPEN.
WE GOT A FLOOD OF E-MAIL ABOUT
THE LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
A LOT OF IT IN FAVOR, BUT A
NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT FAVORED
REMOVING IT.
I HAVE BEEN READING, LISTENING,
ASKING QUESTIONS AND I HAVE A
FEW THOUGHTS.
FIRST, THIS IS NOT ABOUT A
PROPOSED PROJECT BEING BETTER
THAN WHAT'S THERE OR ABOUT
WHETHER REMOVING A DESIGNATION
FOR THE CITY THAN KEEPING IT
WITHIN WE CAN'T SAY IT IS
HISTORIC UNTIL SOMETHING BETTER
COMES ALONG.
REMOVING THE LOCAL HISTORIC
PRESERVATION WOULD REMOVE THE
BINDING COMMITMENTS FOR THE PAT
FORWARD, IN THIS CASE EAST WEST
PARTNERS OR ANYONE ELSE THAT
MIGHT WIND UP WITH THE PROPERTY
THAT IS SOMETHING TO KEEP IN
MIND.
IS NOT ABOUT CASTIGATING OR
HONORING THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION.
IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS TO BE
SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSIAL.
THEY HAVE A JOB TO DO AND THEY
DO IT WITH CONTROVERSY FROM TIM
TO TIME.
THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THE
COUNCIL MADE AN ERROR IN
DESIGNATING IT AS HISTORIC.
IF IT WAS BASED ON SUBJECTIVE
CRITERIA THERE WOULD BE NO NEED
FOR A VOTE AND NO NEED TO REMOVE
THE DESIGNATION.
WHETHER IT MERITS THE LOCAL
HISTORIC DESIGNATION IS
SUBJECTIVE.
THIRD, THE BUILDING DOES
REPRESENT A PART OF THE HISTORY
THAT GETS SHORT SHRIFT,
INVOCATIVE OF A BY GONE ERA.
WE LOVE OUR HISTORY AND OUR
BUILDINGS.
AMERICAN TOBACCO, GOLDEN BELT,
VENERABLE ARE ALL PART OF THE
LEGACY.
THE CITY HAS PLAYED A ROLE IN
THE PRESERVATION OF EACH ONE OF
THEM.
FOURTH, A LOCAL HISTORIC
DESIGNATION DOES NOT PROTECT A
BUILDING IT PROVIDES UP TO A
YEAR FOR DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR
ALL OR PART OF IT, DOCUMENTING
IT, MEMORIALIZING IT.
WHEN THAT YEAR IS OVER, NO
MATTER WHAT HAS OCCURRED THE
PROPERTY OWNER IS FREE TO DO
WHATEVER SHE OR HE CHOOSES TO
DO.
ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT
GARY'S ESSAY IS THAT YOU CAN
PRETTY MUCH FIND WHATEVER YOU
WANT TO.
I MEAN, HE'S GOT IT ALL IN
THERE.
I WILL PICK AND CHOOSE A LITTLE
BIT.
ONCE LIBERTY IS GONE, IT IS GONE
FOREVER.
FORTUNE AND FACT IS MOST OF THE
BUILDING IS QUITE UGLY AND
POORLY SUITED TO BE THE ADAPTIV
REUSE IN PRACTICALS LIKE GOLDEN
BELT AND TOBACCO.
MOST LIE A GIANT SHED WITH
SKYLIGHTS WITH ONE ATTRACTIVE
FACADE.
UM I'M GOING TO SKIP THROUGH
SOME OF THIS.
BUT WHEN THE ORIGINAL GIANT SHE
DIFFICULT TO TURN INTO
APARTMENTS, ET CETERA, NO WAY T
KEEP THE BUILDING.
THERE ARE COMPELLING REASONS WHY
IT HAS LITTLE VIABLE FUTURE AS
AN INTACT STRUCTURE.
THE POWER IS LIMITED OF THE
COMMISSION.
AND I'M GOING TO STOP THERE,
QUOTING HIM.
I WILL TELL YOU THIS.
I STUDIED THIS BUILDING FOR
GREEN FIRE AFTER THEY BOUGHT IT
AND IT WAS ALREADY IN DECAY.
MOST OF THE SKYLIGHTS LEAKED.
LIBERTY ARTS FLOODED EVERY TIME
IT RAINED, EVEN THEN.
THE GRAPHIC EXCHANGE FLOODED
EVEN THEN.
THE ROOF COLLAPSED TWO YEARS
AGO, THE BUILDING HAS BEEN
VACANT, DECAY EVEN WORSE.
HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.
THE PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT THE
BUILDING HAVE BEEN WORKING ON
TRYING TO SAFE IT.
THE COMMITTEE HAS MET TO COME UP
WITH RESOLUTION.
WITH THE GUIDANCE IF NO PLAN IS
EMERGED IN TWO YEARS, WHAT WILL
ANOTHER YEAR GIVE US?
I WILL TELL YOU THAT HAD I BEEN
ON THE COUNCIL IN 2010, KNOWING
WHAT I KNOW, IT IS UNLIKELY I
WOULD HAVE VOTED TO GRANT THE
LOCAL HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
IN ANY CASE, THE CONTINUE HAS
CONTINUED TO CHANGE.
I CANNOT SEE NOW HOW HANGING ON
FOR ANOTHER YEAR WILL MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.
SO AS YOU MIGHT SURMISE, I WILL
VOTE TO RESCIND THE LOCAL
HISTORIC DESIGNATION.
I'M GLAD THE PROPERTY OWNER HAS
TO REPAY THE TAX BENEFIT WE
RECEIVED.
AS I SEE IT, IT AMOUNTS TO AN
INTEREST-FREE LOAN.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT
INTERESTS AND PENALTIES ARE
ASSESSED WHEN AN OWNER SEEKS TO
HAVE THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION
REMOVED.
>> COUNCILWOMAN CATOTTI.
>> THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND I WANT
TO THANK EVERYONE.
THERE HAVE BEEN LOTS OF CONTACT.
I APPRECIATE THE COMPROMISE IN
WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPER
TOWARDS RETAINING PIECES OF THE
WAREHOUSE.
I DO WANT TO THANK THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION, THANK
YOU FOR SERVING, THANK YOU FOR
YOUR TIME AND YOUR EFFORT.
AND I DO APPRECIATE YOUR
CONCERNS.
I WILL SAY THAT I DID NOT
SUPPORT THE HISTORIC DESIGNATION
WHEN IT CAME BEFORE US
PREVIOUSLY P.M. I AM COMFORTABLE
WITH DELISTING THE PROPERTY.
THANK YOU.
>> RECOGNIZE COUNCILMAN SCHEWEL.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR.
MR. MAYOR, I WANTED TO ASK STAFF
TO ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT WAS
RAISED BY MR. PRATT
CONCERNING -- I THINK A LOT OF
PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY
AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND PROBABLY
WHY THE FINES WERE NOT LEVY
PERIOD UPON I WAS WONDERING,
PERHAPS MR. MEDLIN COULD YOU
GIVE AN EXPLANATION.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
STEF MID LIN.
GREEN FIRE WAS ISSUED A CIVIL
CITATION OF $500 IMMEDIATELY
FOLLOWING THAT, THEY ELECTED TO
SUBMIT BOTH THE DELISTING OF TH
PROPERTY AS WELL AS A
CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS
FOR DEMOLITION.
PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF
THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT
ORDINANCE ALL ENFORCEMENT
ACTIONS AT THAT POINT ARE STAYE
UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THOSE
APPLICATIONS ARE SUBSEQUENTLY
HANDLED.
WE'RE HERE THIS EVENING.
IF THE PROPERTY WERE TO RETAIN
THE DESIGNATION, THE FINES WOULD
START AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU.
AND LIKEWISE, MR. PERRY, SEVERA
PEOPLE HAVE COME TO THE PODIUM
AND ASKED, WOULD YOU BE WILLING
TO -- WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS
ABOUT THE INCLUSION OF THE ARTS
AND AS RELATED TO THE FOUNDRY?
I WONDER IF YOU COULD SAY A WOR
ABOUT THAT.
ALSO, THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOU
THE RENTAL -- THE PRICES OF THE
RENT AND AFFORDABILITY AND ALSO
BELIEVE SORT OF WHAT YOUR
THOUGHTS WERE ABOUT -- WHAT YOU
PLANS WERE FOR RETAIL AND ANY
THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT AT THIS
POINT, INCLUDING INCLUSION OF
LOCAL RETAILERS.
>> I'LL TRY TO REMEMBER ALL OF
THOSE.
>> I CAN REPEAT THEM.
>> HA-HA.
AS IT RELATES TO THE RETAIL
USES, THIS IS NOT A LOCATION OR
A PLACE THAT WOULD HAVE APPEAL
OR WILL ATTRACT NATIONAL
RETAILERS.
WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE LOCAL AND
ONE-OFF TYPE MERCHANTS IN THIS
NEW FACILITY.
FIRST OF ALL, NOT ALL RETAIL.
THERE WILL BE SOME COMPONENTS
OFFICE AND RETAIL THERE.
MY THOUGHT IS THE VAST MAJORITY
OF RETAIL CONSIDERING WHAT IS
ALREADY IN THE DISTRICT WILL BE
BASED ON SOME FORM OF FOOD,
ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC, THOSE
KINDS OF THINGS.
THIS ISN'T A MALL, THIS ISN'T A
PLACE WHERE NATIONAL RETAILERS
ARE ATTRACTED OR WILL APPEAL TO.
SO IT WILL BE A LOCAL, SOMATIC
RETAIL CONSORTIUM OF LOCAL
MERCHANTS AND PEOPLE IN THE
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
BUSINESS.
WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE A STRONG
COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS, I WAS
MOST DELIGHTED TO HEAR THE
GENTLEMAN THAT GOT UP AND SPOKE
WITH HIS EXPERIENCE IN THE
FOUNDRY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH
THOSE AND CERTAINLY AN INCLUSIO
OF PUBLIC ART WILL BE PART OF
THE SITE PLAN AND ENHANCE WHAT
WE ARE BUILDING AND MAKE IT MOR
TRADE SECRETIVE TO THE COMMUNITY
AND -- MORE ATTRACTIVE TO THE
COMMUNITY AND MORE ECONOMICALLY
VIABLE.
WE'LL CERTAINLY DO THAT.
IF YOU WILL REFRESH ME WITH THE
OTHER QUESTIONS.
>> I CAN'T REMEMBER MYSELF.
>> THE RENTS.
>> AND THE AFFORDABILITY, THANK
YOU.
>> THE PROJECT WILL BE
DESIGNED -- THIS IS NOT STUDENT
HOUSING, THIS IS NOT LUXURY
HOUSING.
THIS IS DESIGNED TO BE WORKFORCE
HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WORKING IN
AND AROUND AND NEAR DOWNTOWN.
AND THOSE PEOPLE WHO PREFER TO
LIVE IN A DOWNTOWN SETTING.
AS OPPOSED TO A MORE SUBURB OR
EXURB LIFESTYLE.
WE EXPECT A LARGE PERCENTAGE OR
SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THE
OCCUPANTS OF THIS NEW PROJECT
WILL BE WORKING AT PLACES LIKE
AMERICAN TOBACCO AND OTHER
PLACES LIKE THAT.
YOU KNOW, THE RENTS PROBABLY
WILL -- THE RENTS WILL NOT BE
EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH, THE UNITS
WILL BE SMALL.
THEY'LL BE SMALL, EFFICIENCY,
ONE-BEDROOM, TWO-BEDROOM HOMES.
SO THE TERMINAL MONTHLY RENT
PLACE WILL BE PROBABLY WORKFORC
AFFORDABLE, DEPENDING ON HOW YO
DEFINE THAT TERM.
SO THIS IS NOT LIKE THE SITE
NEXT TO THE JACK TAR WHERE WE'R
TALKING ABOUT LUXURY
CONDOMINIUMS AND LUXURY HOUSING.
IT WILL APPEAR TO YOUNG,
CREATIVE CLASS URBANITES WHO
HAVE UPWARDLY MOBILE CAREERS.
IT WILL BE A COOL, HIP PLACE FO
THAT CREATIVE CLASS OF PEOPLE.
IT WILL HAVE TO RETAIN
AFFORDABILITY.
IT WILL RETAIN ITS AFFORD ABLTD
AS A FUNCTION OF SIZE AS MUCH AS
IT WILL ANYTHING ELSE.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I KNOW THOSE REMARKS ARE NOT
BINDING, IT IS NOT TO HEAR,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
MR. MAYOR, A COUPLE OF COMMENTS,
I'M ALSO IN SUPPORT OF THE
DELISTING.
AND I ALSO WANT TO ADD MY THANKS
TO PRESERVATION DURHAM AND THE
FOLKS THAT DID WORK ON THIS
COMPROMISE, THE DEVELOPERS,
THANK YOU.
I THINK IT'S GOOD.
I THINK IT DOES LEAD TO ANOTHER
ISSUE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE,
AS A COMMUNITY NEED TO DEAL WITH
IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.
THAT IS THAT -- I WASN'T ON THE
COUNCIL, SO I DON'T HAVE TO SAY
I DID OR DIDN'T VOTE FOR IT LAS
TIME BUT I DO THINK WE HAVE A
SITUATION WHERE THE COUNCIL AT
ONE POINT DECIDED THIS WAS
HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT.
AND NOW, THE COUNCIL IS REMOVING
THE LISTING, DELISTING,
DEDESIGNATING THAT.
AND DOING SO FOR REASONS
ESSENTIALLY OF ECONOMICS AND NOT
FOR REASONS OF HISTORIC
SIGNIFICANCE.
THIS IS, I THINK, A VERY
LEGITIMATE REASON, A REASON OF
ECONOMICS, BUT I THINK IT POINTS
OUT A PROBLEM WE HAVE IN THIS
COMMUNITY THAT WE NEED TO FIGURE
OUT.
THE PEOPLE IN THE HISTORIC
PRESERVATION COMMISSION ARE
VOLUNTEERS GIVE THEIR TIME AND
THEY HAVE DONE GREAT WORK IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
THERE IS ALSO, I KNOW, A FEELING
ON THE PART OF SOME MEMBERS OF
COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE
COMMUNITY THAT THE PROCESS ISN'
WORKING AS IT SHOULD BE.
I'M REALLY PLEASED THAT OUR
PLANNING STAFF IS ALREADY
WORKING ON THIS.
THERE ARE FOCUS GROUPS FORMED.
I KNOW THAT PRESERVATION DURHAM
HAS OFFERED ITS ASSISTANCE IN
THIS PROCESS.
AND SO, I THINK THAT WHAT WE
NEED IS -- ONE OF THE THINGS
GOING ON HERE IS IN ANSWER TO
WHY -- JOHN MARTIN ASKED A GREAT
QUESTION, WHY AREN'T WE GOING
THROUGH A DIFFERENT PROCESS
HERE?
THE REASON IS THERE IS NOT FULL
COMMUNITY CONFIDENCE IN THE
PROCESS.
I THINK WE NEED A PROCESS THAT
WE HAVE FULL COMMUNITY PROCESS
IN.
I THINK THAT WHAT PLANNING STAF
IS BEGINNING TO UNDERGO AND
WHICH THE OTHERS OF US IN THE
COMMUNITY ARE THINKING ABOUT IS
GOING TO PRODUCE SOMETHING
BETTER.
AND SO WE NEED A PROCESS THAT
WORKS FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE
AND ALSO REALLY MAINTAINS A VERY
STRONG VOICE IN ANY DEVELOPMENT
GOING FORWARD FOR HISTORIC
PRESERVATION AND FOR THE
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION.
I THINK IF WE DO IT RIGHT, WE
CAN GET BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.
I THINK THAT THERE IS, AT THIS
POINT, A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN
THAT PROCESS FOR REASONS I'M NOT
ALL CLEAR ABOUT BECAUSE I
HAVEN'T BEEN ON IT VERY LONG,
BUT I THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE
HAVE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT.
SO MR. MAYOR, LASTLY, I WANT TO
SAY THAT I, TOO, HAVE EXPERIENC
WITH THE BUILDING.
MY COMPANY HAS STORED THINGS
THERE FOR MANY YEARS.
AND MY SENSE OF IT IS THAT IT IS
NOT -- IT WOULD BE VERY, VERY
HARD TO SALVAGE SHORT OF THE
KIND OF PLAN THAT HAS BEEN
PROPOSE PERIOD UPON SO I WAS
PLEASED WITH THE COMPROMISE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MAYOR.
>> AND LET ME BE CLEAR, AGAIN.
THIS IS NOT AN INDICTMENT OF THE
PRESERVATION -- HISTORIC
PRESERVATION SITE.
WE HAVE A PROCESS.
WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PROCESS.
WE ARE FOLLOWING THE PROCESS.
IT IS OPEN, IT IS TRANSPARENT.
EACH OF US HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPRESS OUR OPINION ON IT.
WE HAVE GOTTEN HOW MANY E-MAILS
BOTH FOR AND AGAINST THIS.
THIS IS DURHAM.
WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS
SO I GUESS I WOULD HAVE AN ISSU
TO TALK ABOUT GOING THROUGH THE
PROCESS.
WE HEARD, WE LISTENED, IT IS UP
TO THE COUNCIL TO MAKE A
DECISION.
I HAVE EXPLAINED WHY DI WHAT I
DID ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO.
OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPLAINED WHAT
THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE
DOING.
WE HAVE A PROCESS.
IT IS NOT -- WE'RE NOT DENIGR
DENIGRATING ANYONE ON THE
COUNCILS.
I SAID EARLY ON, YOU ARE AN
EXTENSION, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT,
OF THE COUNCIL.
IT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN WE'RE
GOING TO AGREE.
THAT IS THE PROCESS.
ULTIMATELY, WE ARE HELD
ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DECISIONS WE
MAKE.
THIS IS A DECISION THAT THE
COUNCIL IS MAKING.
THE COUNCIL MADE THE DECISION
THREE YEARS AGO, AND THE PROCESS
ALLOWS THE COUNCIL TO MAKE A
DECISION TONIGHT.
I HOPE NO ONE THINKS WE DON'T
HAVE A PROCESS.
WE HAVE A PROCESS, YOU MIGHT NOT
LIKE IT, IT CAN ALWAYS BE
IMPROVED.
I THINK I WILL BE INVOLVED IN A
FOCUS GROUP WITH THE
PRESERVATION -- IS IT PLANNING
STAFF, SOMEBODY IS DOING IT.
ANYWAY, I'M WILLING TO
PARTICIPATE.
I MIGHT BE LATE, BUT I WANT TO
PARTICIPATE.
WE HAVE A PROCESS.
I APPRECIATE STRONGLY THE TIME
AND EFFORT THAT THE VOLUNTEERS
PUT IN TO DOING WHAT THEY HAVE
TO DO.
UNDERSTAND, AT SOME POINT IN
TIME, WE AREN'T ALWAYS GOING TO
BE IN AGREEMENT.
ALWAYS RESERVE THE RIGHT AS AN
ELECTED OFFICIAL TO MAKE A
DECISION.
THAT IS WHAT I'M DOING TONIGHT.
I ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THE
ITEM.
>> YEAH --
>> I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING,
CORA.
>> WELL, THE MANAGER HAS
REMINDED ME, MAYBE I WILL ASK
THE CITY ATTORNEY, THE PROPER
MOTION, MR. CITY ATTORNEY TO
DELIST THE PROPERTY WOULD BE
WHAT?
>> [INDISCERNIBLE].
>> THE MOTION SHOULD BE TO -- IT
IS THE MOTION IN THE AGENDA TO
DELIST.
>> TO DELIST.
>> [INDISCERNIBLE]
>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THIS IS
CORREC
CORRECT.
YOU WANT TO STATE THE MOTION,
GENE?
>> YEAH.
I MAKE THE MOTION -- BEFORE I D
THAT, TOO, I WANT TO ADD TO WHA
THE MAYOR ARTICULATED.
I SAID THIS BEFORE, BUT I THINK
IT IS WORTH REPEAT LITTLE THAT
EVEN IN DURHAM THE DISCUSSION B
WITH THE DIALOGUE, THE DEBATE
NEEDS TO END.
THAT IS WHY WE ARE MAKING A
DECISION TONIGHT.
THAT'S WHY I'M VERY PLEASED TO
MAKE THE MOTION TO DELIST THE
PROPERTY, THE SUBJECT PROPERTY
THAT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING ON
RIGSBEE AVENUE.
>> PROPERLY MOVED AND SECONDED.
MR. PLANNING DIRECTOR, ARE YOU
SATISFIED WITH THE MOTION.
>> YES, SIR.
>> MR. ATTORNEY, ARE YOU
SATISFIED.
>> YES, SIR.
>> I HAVEN'T HEARD THE --
VERYING HEARD THE MOTION, I WIL
CALL THE QUESTION.
OPEN THE VOTE, CLOSE THE VOTE.
>> PASSES 6-0.
>> ANY OTHER ITEMS TO COME
BEFORE THE COUNCIL?